Campylobacter diarrhea in children in South Asia: A systematic review

BackgroundCampylobacter spp. are one of the commonest causes of diarrhea in children under five and in resource poor settings also lead to malabsorption and stunting. The purpose of this systematic review was to understand the burden of Campylobacter spp. associated diarrhea among children in the South Asian countries.MethodsThis systematic review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. Databases were searched with defined keywords for publications from the years 1998–2018. Data on proportion of positive samples was extracted to compare the rates of Campylobacter infection among children (under the age of 19) from different study populations.ResultsOf the 359 publications screened, 27 eligible articles were included in this systematic review and categorized based on study design. In 8 case-control studies, Campylobacter spp. was detected more frequently among diarrheal cases (range, 3.2–17.4%) than non-diarrheal cases (0–13%). Although there were variations in the study population, overall, children under the age of two years experienced Campylobacter diarrhea more often than older children. Most studies reported stool culture as the method used to detect Campylobacter spp. however retesting using PCR-based methods significantly increased detection rates. Limited data were available on Campylobacter species. In 4 studies that provided species data, C. jejuni (3.2–11.2%) was shown to be the most common species, followed by C. coli.ConclusionIn South Asia, Campylobacter spp. are one of the most common bacterial diarrheal pathogens affecting children but there is a paucity of data on species, risk factors and attributable sources. Although a few studies were available, the epidemiology of campylobacteriosis remains uncertain. To understand the true burden and sources of infection, more detailed studies are needed collecting data from human, animal and environmental sources and using both culture and genomic tools.     

Infants with esophageal atresia and right aortic arch: Characteristics and outcomes from the Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium

Purpose

Right sided aortic arch (RAA) is a rare anatomic finding in infants with esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). In the presence of RAA, significant controversy exists regarding optimal side for thoracotomy in repair of the EA/TEF. The purpose of this study was to characterize the incidence, demographics, surgical approach, and outcomes of patients with RAA and EA/TEF.

Patient Characteristics as Indicator for Care Dependence after Hip Fracture: A Retrospective Cohort Study Using Health Insurance Claims Data From Germany

Objectives

Hip fractures are common consequences of falls in older adults and, among other negative health outcomes, often lead to care dependence in the long term. Until 2016, the German long-term care insurance classified care recipients according to a standardized classification system consisting of 3 care levels. It was based on required assistance in performing activities of daily living and assessed by a qualified physician or nurse. Thus, care level reflects the degree of care dependence. The aim of this study was to determine relevant patient characteristics, which are related to the likelihood of increasing care dependence in terms of worsening care level after hip fracture.

The French Infectious Diseases Society's readiness and response to epidemic or biological risk–the current situation following the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Ebola virus disease alerts

Context

In 2012, the French Infectious Diseases Society (French acronym SPILF) initiated the “Coordination of epidemic and biological risk” (SPILF-COREB - Emergences [SCE]) group to support the readiness and response of healthcare workers (HCWs) to new alerts.

Hepatitis C virus infection and lichen planus: a short review

OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature regarding the association of lichen planus (LP) and liver disease, with particular attention to the association of the oral variant of the disease with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Available literature of the possible association of LP with systemic disorders, in particular chronic hepatic disease, has been reviewed. RESULTS: LP is sometimes associated with infectious or autoimmune disease and/or neoplasia, however an aetio-logical association between LP and these disorders seems unlikely. A more consistent association exists between LP and chronic hepatic disease. The precise cause of this association is not known. However, in the last 6 years a notable association between HCV infection and LP has been observed, particularly in patients in Spain, Italy and Japan. The pathogenesis of this possible HCV-associated LP is not known, but it may involve a cell mediated response to an altered epithelial antigen.
CONCLUSION: There is now evidence to suggest a significant association between HCV infection and LP in some groups of patients.     

Ultrastructure of fenestrated capillaries in human dental pulps.

Dental pulps of both the primary and permanent dentitions were studied. Fenestrated capillaries were found at varying depths within the odontoblast layer in the root and crown portions of pulps. The fenestrae were in the attenuated part of the endothelial cell cytoplasm away from the nucleus. They averaged 60 nm in diameter and were bridged by a membrane or diaphragm approximately 7 nm thick.