艾滋病高发农村儿童人类免疫缺陷病毒感染与艾滋病发病的关系

目的了解艾滋病高发区儿童感染人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)情况.方法对某艾滋病高发农村高危育龄妇女及其年龄小于15岁的子女进行现场询问调查和采静脉血作HIV检测.结果 159名儿童中37例HIV阳性,其中33例为母婴途径感染,占89.2%,3例经输血感染,占8.1%,其他途径感染1例,占2.7%.HIV母婴传播率为38.4%(33/86).艾滋病状态母亲组母婴传播率(68.8%,22/32)显著高于HIV携带状态组(20.4%,11/54),P＜0.05.37名感染儿童中12例发展成艾滋病, 4例死亡,其中2例死于结核.33例中31例造成母婴传播的HIV阳性妇女在孕产前未作HIV检测,占93.9%.8名妊娠期HIV阳性妇女,1例艾滋病病情加重,2例自然流产,2例经规劝终止妊娠,3例继续妊娠.结论母婴传播是儿童感染HIV的主要途径.未对高危生育期妇女进行有效的HIV监测及咨询,未采取有效干预措施是造成儿童HIV/AIDS的主要原因.亟需采取相应的对策控制HIV进一步蔓延,保护AIDS高发区妇女及儿童的健康.     

聚合酶链反应检测病原菌在儿童先天性心脏病术后呼吸机相关性肺炎中的应用价值

目的 探讨聚合酶链反应(polymerase chain reaction,PCR)检测病原菌在儿童先天性心脏病术后呼吸机相关性肺炎(ventilator-associated pneumonia,VAP)中的应用价值.方法 我院胸外科重症监护室2016年11月至2017年7月收治的95例先天性心脏病术后发生VAP的患儿中,选取48例患儿行支气管肺泡灌洗(bronchoalveolar lavage,BAL)及导管内抽吸分泌物(endotracheal tube attracts, ETA)法收集深部气道分泌物,获取病原学标本,并同时行传统气道分泌物定量培养法和PCR法检测病原菌.结果 传统培养法培养72 h后,检出19例标本病原菌呈阳性,共检出病原菌20株,2例标本为混合感染,病原菌检出阳性率为39.2%(19/48).PCR法培养24 h后检出31例标本病原菌呈阳性,共检出病原菌44株,9例标本为混合感染,病原菌检出阳性率为65.3%(31/48).PCR法病原菌总体阳性率高,混合病原菌检出率高.采用ETA和BAL两种方法获取标本,用PCR法检测病原菌,各种病原菌的检出有高度一致性,48例标本中,45例病原菌检测结果一致,一致率高达94%(45/48).结论 PCR法可以快速敏感及准确地检测病原菌,临床中可通过非侵袭性操作ETA方法获取标本,应将PCR法和传统培养法结合作为儿童先天性心脏病术后VAP病原菌的检测方法.     

尿巨细胞病毒定量检测在巨细胞病毒感染诊断中的意义

目的探讨尿巨细胞病毒(CMV)定量检测在儿科CMV感染诊断中的意义。方法应用荧光定量聚合酶链反应 (FQ-PCR)方法检测110例确诊或疑诊CMV感染和81例对照患儿尿CMV-DNA,并与血清抗体检测、pp65抗原检测比较,对更昔洛韦治疗的17例病人进行治疗后尿CMV-DNA;拷贝监测。结果 1．确诊或疑诊为CMV活动性感染患儿110例,其中82例尿中检测到CMV-DNA;对照11例检测到尿CMV-DNA,其中10例为正常健康儿童;且不同年龄组CMV-DNA的阳性率不同。17 例更昔洛韦治疗后,尿CMV-DNA的平均拷贝数明显下降(P<0．001)。2．FQ-PCR、pp65、IgM检测方法敏感性分别为87％、 74％、59％,特异性分别为97％、86％、69％;与其他两种方法比较,FQ-PCR方法敏感性和特异性均明显高(P均<0.001)。结论 FQ-PCR检测尿CMV-DNA对诊断活动性CMV感染有一定意义,量化结果便于治疗过程中进行连续的监测。     

2011至2014年上海单中心下呼吸道感染住院患儿常见病原体流行病学研究

目的 分析近3年上海一家医院下呼吸道感染(LRTI)住院患儿中呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）、腺病毒（ADV）、副流感病毒（PIV）、流感病毒（FLU）、人偏肺病毒（MV）、沙眼衣原体（CT）和肺炎支原体（MP）7种常见病原体的流行病学特征,为上海地区儿童LRTI的预防与诊治提供数据支持。 方法 收集2011年10月至2014年9月于复旦大学附属儿科医院就诊的LRTI住院患儿,取其鼻咽部抽吸物,使用直接免疫荧光法或实时荧光定量PCR技术检测上述7种呼吸道病原体,并对其流行病学特征行描述性分析。 结果 3年的呼吸道病原体总检出率为44.0%(6 301/14 334),MP的检出率最高（17.5%）,其次为RSV(13.9%）和PIV(5.6%）。男、女呼吸道病原体的总检出率差异无统计学意义（χ2=0.68,P=0.408）。0~6月龄患儿以RSV检出率最高,>2岁患儿以MP检出率最高。RSV和CT随着年龄的增长检出率显著降低,MP的检出率随着年龄增长而显著升高。RSV的检出率高峰出现在冬季,夏季少见。ADV在春夏季检出率较高,而在秋季少见。PIV和MP检出率的高峰主要出现在夏季,FLU在1月份有暴发性的流行,MV的检出高峰主要出现在每年3月份;CT全年散发,无明显季节特征。病原体混合感染的总检出率为2.9％,在7~12月龄患儿中检出率最高,其中以MP合并其他病原体感染为主,最常见为MP+RSV的混合感染。 结论 多种病原体导致上海地区儿童的LRTI,不同病原体显示出不同的流行季节、年龄分布等流行特征。     

A comparison of conventional and molecular microbiology in detecting differences in pneumococcal colonization in healthy children and children with upper respiratory illness

Conventional microbiology (CM) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to determine rate and serotype of pneumococcal nasopharyngeal colonization in healthy children and children with upper respiratory illnesses (URI). One hundred and thirty-six healthy children and 79 children with URI were evaluated. Pneumococcal colonization was detected more often by real-time PCR than CM in healthy children (50% vs. 24%, p ≤ 0.001), while detection rates were comparable by CM and real-time PCR in children with URI (61% vs. 65%, NS). Pneumococcal serotypes were identified 2.3 times more often in healthy children by real-time PCR than CM, p ≤ 0.001 and 1.5 times more often in children with URI by PCR than CM, p = 0.01. Real-time PCR was also more sensitive in detecting multiple strains rather than CM in both healthy (p = 0.001) and children with URI (p ≤ 0.001). Overall real-time PCR proved superior to CM in detection and serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Future studies should incorporate real-time PCR technology along with CM to fully understand the epidemiology of colonization in health and illness.     

Frequent detection of viral coinfection in children hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infection using a real-time polymerase chain reaction

BACKGROUND: Respiratory viruses are the main cause of acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) in children. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology is highly practicable for the rapid detection of viral pathogens. The simultaneous detection of a broad spectrum of viruses enables the diagnosis and evaluation of viral coinfection in ARI. METHODS: A 1-step real-time PCR was developed for the detection of 12 respiratory viruses (10 RNA and 2 DNA viruses) in clinical samples. Clinical samples from 254 children admitted to the Departments of Pediatrics with ARI during a 10-month period were tested. RESULTS: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most frequently detected pathogen in 112 samples (44.1%), followed by human bocavirus (hBoV) in 49 (19.3%), and rhinovirus in 17 samples (6.7%). Viral coinfection was detected in 41 (16.1%) samples with RSV and hBoV being the most dominating combination (27 cases, 10.6%). Viral coinfection was found in 10 cases (17%) of children with bronchitis (n = 58) and in 7 cases (23%) of bronchiolitis (n = 30). In patients with pneumonia (n = 51), 17 cases (33%) were positive for 2 or more viral pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous testing of respiratory viruses by real-time PCR is a suitable tool for the detection of viral coinfections. In children hospitalized because of respiratory infection viral coinfection is frequently detected with RSV and hBoV being a common combination.     

5150例急性下呼吸道感染儿童呼吸道病毒检测结果分析

目的 了解急性下呼吸道感染(ALRTI)住院患儿咽拭子呼吸道病毒的分布情况。方法 采用直接免疫荧光法,对该院2014 年3 月至2015 年2 月5 150 例ALRTI 住院患儿咽拭子标本进行流感病毒A 型(FA)、流感病毒B 型(FB)、腺病毒(ADV)、呼吸道合胞病毒(RSV)及副流感病毒1、2、3 型(PIV-1、2、3)检测,了解ALRTI 患儿中呼吸道病毒的分布情况。结果 5 150 例住院患儿的咽拭子样本中病毒检测阳性2 155 例(41.84%),其中RSV、 PIV-3 、FA 是检出率最高的前3 位病毒,分别为1 338 例(25.98%)、439 例(8.52%)、166 例(3.22%),并有29 例为2 种病毒混合感染。随年龄增加病毒检出率呈下降趋势(χ²=279.623,P<0.01)。RSV 检测阳性率自9 月开始呈增高趋势,11 月最高,达60.09%,6 月最低,仅为1.51%。PIV-3 检测阳性率5 月最高(21.38%),11 月最低(1.77%)。结论 ALRTI 患儿的病毒流行分布随年龄、季节而不同,秋冬季以RSV 流行为主,春夏季以PIV-3 流行为主。RSV 是ALRTI 住院儿童的最常见病毒。     

Utility of clinically-directed selective screening to diagnose HIV infection in hospitalized children in Bombay,India

The increasing prevalence of HIV infection in urban India together with limited financial resources necessitates judicious HIV testing. This prospective study was undertaken to determine the utility of selective screening for HIV infection based on five clinical risk factors reported in African children. The study was conducted at the Departments of Paediatrics and Microbiology, LTMG Hospital, Bombay, India between September 1998 and 2000. The children were enrolled after taking informed consent from their parents. The HIV seroprevalence rate was determined in children (aged 1 month to 12 years) consecutively admitted with severe malnutrition, serious pyogenic infections (pneumonia, pyogenic meningitis, septicaemia), disseminated tuberculosis, chronic diarrhoea and oral candidiasis, present either singly or in combination. Children above 18 months of age were diagnosed as being infected with HIV if they tested positive by two different HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. In children less than 18 months of age the diagnosis of HIV infection was made if they were ELISA positive and also fulfilled the WHO criteria for symptomatic HIV infection. Of a total 204 children (110 male, 94 female) screened, 24 (11.8 per cent) were diagnosed as HIV-infected. The HIV seropositive rate was highest in children having oral candidiasis (40.6 per cent), followed by chronic diarrhoea (18.2 per cent), disseminated tuberculosis (16.2 per cent), severe malnutrition (14.4 per cent), and serious pyogenic infections (11.2 per cent). Only the presence of oral candidiasis was a significant independent risk factor for predicting HIV infection (p < 0.0001). However, as the number of risk factors concomitantly present increased, the chances of the child being infected with HIV also increased significantly (p < 0.001). Our study shows that clinically-directed selective screening does have a practical role in diagnosing HIV infection in a resource-poor setting.     

GB virus C infection in children with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus infection

BACKGROUND: GB virus C (GBV-C) infection occurs in 20-40% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults, and coinfection is associated with improved HIV disease outcome. METHODS: To determine the prevalence of GBV-C infection in children who were perinatally infected with HIV, we conducted a cross-sectional prevalence survey in a cohort of perinatally infected HIV-positive children selected from a large, multicenter observational protocol. A blood specimen was obtained and tested for GBV-C viremia with the use of a qualitative GBV-C RNA assay and screened for past GBV-C infection with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect antibodies to the GBV-C envelope protein E2 (E2 Ab). RESULTS: The 354 children who participated in the substudy were relatively healthy, with a median CD4 of 784 cells/mm and median HIV-1 viral load of 1055 copies/mL. The prevalence of GBV-C viremia was 20 of 353 or 5.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.5-8.6%), and the prevalence of E2 Ab was 12 of 354 or 3.4% (95% confidence interval, 1.8-5.8%). GBV-C viremic patients were older than patients without past GBV-C infection (median age, 12.8 years versus 10.7 years). Median CD4 lymphocyte counts were highest in subjects without GBV-C infection and lowest in those with E2 Ab. CONCLUSIONS: GBV-C prevalence rates are lower in children with perinatal HIV infection than those reported for HIV-infected adults. With the exception of evidence that GBV-C viremic children had lower rates of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV disease category C disease before GBV-C testing, we did not find evidence of improved HIV disease outcome in coinfected patients, but the number of HIV/GBV-C-coinfected children was small.     

Nasopharyngeal aspiration for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Confirmation of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in young children is difficult as they seldom expectorate sputum. AIM: To compare sputa obtained by nasopharyngeal aspiration and by sputum induction for staining and culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients from Mulago Hospital, Kampala with symptoms suggestive of PTB were considered for inclusion in the study. Those with a positive tuberculin test and/or a chest radiograph compatible with tuberculosis were recruited. Infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was confirmed by duplicate enzyme-labelled immunosorbent assay or in children <15 months by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Direct PCR was undertaken on 82 nasopharyngeal aspirates. RESULTS: Of 438 patients referred, 94 were recruited over a period of 5 months. Median (range) age was 48 (4-144) months. Of 63 patients tested, 69.8% were infected with HIV. Paired and uncontaminated culture results were available for 88 patients and smear results for 94 patients. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were smear-positive in 8.5% and culture-positive in 23.9%. Induced sputa were smear-positive in 9.6% and culture positive in 21.6%. Overall, 10.6% were smear-positive, 25.5% were culture-positive and 26.6% had smear and/or culture confirmed tuberculosis. Direct PCR on nasopharyngeal aspirates had a sensitivity of 62% and specificity of 98% for confirmation of culture-positive tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Nasopharyngeal aspiration is a useful, safe and low-technology method for confirmation of PTB and, like sputum induction, can be undertaken in outpatient clinics.     

人疱疹病毒6型荧光定量分型方法的建立和临床应用

目的 建立对人疱疹病毒6型(HHV-6)能同时进行定量和分型的荧光定量PCR检测新方法,运用该方法对临床疑似病毒性脑炎患儿进行检测.方法 以HHV-6聚合酶基因区(U38)为靶序列,设计通用引物和特异性分型探针,建立能同时检测HHV-6型A/B亚型的荧光定量PCR方法,进行敏感性和特异性实验.对临床445例疑似脑炎患儿的脑脊液标本进行HHV-6荧光定量分型检测,阳性结果测序验证.结果 HHV-6A和HHV-6B病毒株荧光定鼍分型检测结果均为阳性,两亚型之间无交叉.单纯疱疹病毒1型和2型、水痘-带状疱疹病毒、巨细胞病毒、爱泼斯坦.马尔病毒、乙肝病毒、金黄色葡萄球菌、肺炎支原体、人类基因组DNA及空白对照均为阴性.HHV-6荧光定量分型最低能检测到10拷贝/μl HHV-6A/B.在临床445例疑似脑炎患儿脑脊液标本中检出HHV-6阳性21例(4.72%),其中HHV-6A阳性4例,HHV-6B阳性16例,HHV-6A和HHV-6B混合感染1例.整个PCR操作过程2-3 h.结论 HHV-6荧光定量分型方法能对HHV-6同时进行定量和分型,具有特异、敏感、简便、快速的特点,可为临床HHV-6感染性脑炎提供早期、敏感的诊断依据.     

吸入变应原sIgE在不同气道过敏性疾病儿童中的分布特征

目的了解不同气道过敏性疾病患儿吸入变应原血清特异性Ig E(slg E)的分布特征。方法应用Uni CAP250变应原定量Ig E检测系统的荧光酶联免疫法,对256例3~14岁气道过敏疾病患儿测定9种常见吸入变应原的血清slg E。256例患儿按临床诊断分为:变应性鼻炎组(简称"鼻炎组",37例)、支气管哮喘组(简称"哮喘组",82例)和变应性鼻炎合并支气管哮喘组(简称"鼻炎并哮喘组",137例)。比较3组患儿9种吸入变应原阳性检出率的分布差异,并比较3组患儿变应原致敏级别和致敏种类数的差异。结果哮喘组、鼻炎组和鼻炎并哮喘组患儿吸入变应原血清s Ig E的阳性检出率分别为57.3%(47/82)、86.5%(32/37)、82.5%(113/137),3组间比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。哮喘组、鼻炎组、鼻炎并哮喘组患儿常见变应原均依次为霉菌类(32.9%、54.1%、48.9%)、尘螨类(30.5%、45.9%、46.0%)、花粉类(26.8%、35.1%、32.8%)、宠物类(12.2%、27.0%、18.2%)、蟑螂(9.8%、5.4%、5.8%)。鼻炎组和鼻炎并哮喘组患儿霉菌混合的阳性检出率均高于哮喘组,差异有统计学意义(均P0.0166)。3组患儿9种变应原的致敏级别和致敏种类数比较差异无统计学意义。结论支气管哮喘、变应性鼻炎或二者合并患儿前3位吸入变应原均依次是霉菌类、尘螨类、花粉类;与支气管哮喘相比,霉菌致敏可能与变应性鼻炎关系更密切;这3种常见气道过敏性疾病吸入变应原的致敏分布具有相似性。     

Routine use of gene amplification for pertussis diagnosis in children]

OBJECTIVES: The resurgence of whooping cough observed in France convinced us to develop a specific PCR assay to detect B. pertussis in nasopharyngeal secretions in parallel of the culture. The aim of our study was to show the value of the PCR in routine diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From November 1996 to August 2000, in two hospitals located in the Yvelines (France), the children consulting for a cough compatible with the diagnosis of whooping cough were included in this study. A questionnaire including clinical, biological and radiological items was completed for each one of these patients. A culture of Bordetella and a detection by PCR of B. pertussis were carried out on each nasopharyngeal aspirate. The diagnosis of whooping cough was retained if the detection was positive in PCR and/or culture. RESULTS: Among the 215 investigated children with suspected cases of whooping cough, the diagnosis was positive for 45 (20.9%), of which 39 were less than one year old (median: three months). Sixteen (35.5,%) were positive at the same time for both the PCR and the culture, 26 (57.8%) for only PCR and three (6.7%) for only culture. The PCR was positive in 93.3% of the cases. The results were obtained with an average time of 48 hours. The culture was positive in 61.2% of the cases with an average time of six days. The monthly distribution of the cases of whooping cough was very inhomogeneous and of epidemic appearance. The majority of the cases was located between two periods: 42% between November 1996 and September 1997 and 40% between November 1999 and August 2000. Among the infected children, 15 were less than two months old and were not yet vaccinated; among the 24 others infants, a delay in the vaccine calendar was noted in 50% of the cases. Four children between six and 14 years old were correctly vaccinated. The evolution was favourable in all the children. CONCLUSION: The PCR due to its sensitivity, its specificity and its rapidity offers to the clinician a powerful tool for the diagnosis of whooping cough. Nevertheless, the culture must be associated with the PCR, in order to follow the epidemiology and the sensitivity to antibiotics of B. pertussis.     

HIV prevalence in severely malnourished children admitted to nutrition rehabilitation units in Malawi: Geographical & seasonal variations a cross-sectional study

Background

Severe malnutrition in childhood associated with HIV infection presents a serious humanitarian and public health challenge in Southern Africa. The aim of this study was to collect country wide data on HIV infection patterns in severely malnourished children to guide the development of integrated care in a resource limited setting.

Methods

A cross sectional survey was conducted in 12 representative rural and urban Nutrition Rehabilitation Units (NRUs), from each of Malawi's 3 regions. All children and their caretakers admitted to each NRU over a two week period were offered HIV counselling and testing. Testing was carried out using two different rapid antibody tests, with PCR testing for discordant results. Children under 15 months were excluded, to avoid difficulties with interpretation of false positive rapid test results. The survey was conducted once in the dry/post-harvest season, and repeated in the rainy/hungry season.

Results

570 children were eligible for study inclusion. Acceptability and uptake of HIV testing was high: 523(91.7%) of carers consented for their children to take part; 368(70.6%) themselves accepted testing. Overall HIV prevalence amongst children tested was 21.6%(95% confidence intervals, 18.2–25.5%). There was wide variation between individual NRUs: 2.0–50.0%. Geographical prevalence variations were significant between the three regions (p < 0.01) with the highest prevalence being in the south: Northern Region 23.1%(95%CI 14.3–34.0%), Central Region 10.9%(95%CI 7.5–15.3%), and Southern Region 36.9%(95%CI 14.3–34.0%). HIV prevalence was significantly higher in urban areas, 32.9%(95%CI 26.8–39.4%) than in rural 13.2%(95%CI 9.5–17.6%)(p < 0.01). NRU HIV prevalence rates were lower in the rainy/hungry season 18.4%(95%CI 14.7–22.7%) than in the dry/post-harvest season 30.9%(95%CI 23.2–39.4%) (p < 0.001%).

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of HIV infection in severely malnourished Malawian children attending NRUs with children in urban areas most likely to be infected. Testing for HIV is accepted by their carers in both urban and rural areas. NRUs could act as entry points to HIV treatment and support programmes for affected children and families. Recognition of wide geographical variations in childhood HIV prevalence will ensure that limited resources are initially targeted to areas of highest need. These findings may have implications for the other countries with similar patterns of childhood illness and food insecurity.     

RQ-PCR检测Ig/TCR基因重排监测急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿治疗过程微小残留白血病

目的 研究RQ-PCR检测急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）患儿Ig/TCR基因重排在微小残留白血病（MRD）监测中的作用。方法 以2009年3月至2011年3月在广州市妇女儿童医疗中心血液肿瘤科确诊和治疗的ALL患儿为研究对象,PCR检测初诊ALL患儿的Ig/TCR基因重排;基因扫描分析初诊患儿Ig/TCR基因重排的克隆特性;对ALL患儿的单克隆性Ig/TCR基因重排进行测序,RQ-PCR检测不同治疗阶段Ig/TCR基因重排的表达量。结果 86例ALL患儿进入分析,男52例,女34例;年龄1~13（4.3±3.0）岁,随访时间1~26（14.3±7.0）个月。①83例（96.5%）检出1种或以上Ig/TCR基因重排,共检出209个Ig/TCR基因重排;②91.8%（56/61例）检出1种或以上单克隆性Ig/TCR基因重排;61例172个Ig/TCR基因重排中,单克隆性、寡克隆性和多克隆性Ig/TCR基因重排的检出率分别为58.1%（100个）、30.8%（52个）和11.0%（19个）,差异有统计学意义（P=0.000）;③26例完成连续3次随访,其中22例持续完全缓解患儿的Ig/TCR基因重排平均相对表达量持续下降,在维持治疗前均为MRD阴性（≤1.0×10-4）;4例复发患儿在诱导缓解治疗后至复发前各检测时点Ig/TCR基因重排表达量均＞1.0×10-4,并在复发前已有回升,从开始回升至临床复发的平均时间为3.75（2～8）个月。结论 Ig/TCR基因重排相对表达量可反映MRD水平,可作为判断预后、监测复发和指导治疗的有效手段。     

Primary results of antiretroviral treatment among HIV/AIDS infected children in Lomé (Togo)]

Since 2004 in Togo HIV/AIDS infected children have, free of charge, access to antiretroviral drugs according to the national program. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, biological and prognosis aspects of anti-retroviral treatment on HIV/AIDS infected children. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted a cross sectional study on 72 HIV/AIDS infected children with anti-retroviral treatment, under the supervision of clinicians within 3 associations specialized in the management of subjects infected by HIV/SIDA at Lomé (Togo). RESULTS: The average age of children was 6 years 9 months. The middle age to HIV screening was 4 years 2 months. The sex ratio was 1.05. The majority of these children (79.2%) were orphans of at least 1 of their parents. All the children were stemmed from families with modest income. The transmission mother to child was the way of HIV contamination found among all the children. To a certain extent, all the children were infected by the HIV 1. Most of the children (66.7%) receiving an antiretroviral treatment for at least 6 months were asymptomatic and had no more immunodeficiency. After 15 months, the children have gained 464 CD4/mm(3). The initial protocols antiretroviral prescribed among children were: zidovudine-lamivudine-abacavir (36.1%), lamivudine-didanosine-nevirapine (30.5%), lamivudine-stavudine-nevirapine (29.2%), zidovudine-lamivudine-didanosine (4.2%). The digestive disorders have been the first side effects (83.4%). The rate of good observance was middle (51%) and lowered with the increased age of children, and the period of the anti-retroviral treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Antiretroviral treatment among HIV/AIDS infected children is giving good results in Togo. But many efforts remain to increase the number of beneficiaries.     

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of paediatric HIV infections in Albert-Royer Paediatric Hospital (Dakar, Senegal)]

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection prevalence rate is estimated at 1.4% in Senegal, and about 3,000 children could be infected. HIV positive children are followed up since 2000 in Albert Royer Hospital (Dakar, Senegal). OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical and epidemiological aspects of HIV paediatric infection, and to evaluate the implementation of high active antiretroviral therapy in HIV positive children in our country. POPULATION AND METHODS: Over a period of three years, the medical reports of 98 infected patients have been collected, 96% with HIV 1 infection. RESULTS: Most of the patients had a maternally transmitted HIV infection (99%). At their enrollment, the median age was 60 months; malnutrition (79%), persistent lymphadenopathy (65%) and skin lesions (64%) were the common clinical manifestations. Thirty-nine percent of the patients were in class C (CDC) and 81% had CD4 cell count< or =25%. Median viral load were 421,852 copies/ml at presentation. Seven infants had a rapid progressive disease with encephalopathy. Thirty-six patients received high active antiretroviral therapy with high observance and good tolerance. CONCLUSION: This study allowed to define clinical and biological profile of paediatric HIV infection in our country and to update the implementation of high active antiretroviral therapy.     

山东地区肠道病毒中枢神经系统感染187例分析

目的 探讨山东地区中枢神经系统肠道病毒（EV）感染的实验和临床特点。方法 采用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和病毒培养技术,检测187例无菌性脑膜炎患儿中,CSF中RT-PCR和病毒培养同时阳性者62例（33.16%)。病毒培养阴性的125例中,RT-PCR阳性93例（74%）;此93例中,4例同时在血清或尿分离到EV,本实验中,RT-PCR检测EV脑膜炎的阳性率为82.89%（155/187）,而病毒培养的阳性率为33.16%(62/187)。包括EV RNA的提取,RT-PCR的全部过程在4小时内可以完成,而病毒培养繁杂,平均需要4.6天得出结果。肠道病毒脑膜炎可以散发或局部暴发,临床特点在各个年龄组有所不同,5岁以内者以发热,呕吐,激惹多见,5岁以上者以头痛,畏光,疲劳,肌痛多见。结论 EV是山东地区无菌性脑膜炎最常见的病原体。临床症状一般较轻,无特异性;RT-PCR检测能快速,敏感的诊断EV感染,快速确诊可减少抗生素的应用和住院天数,有较高的社会效益和经济效益。     

Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in children in an HIV-endemic area, Malawi

The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in young children is particularly complex in resource-poor regions where HIV infection is common. This study examines the impact of HIV infection on diagnosis in children with suspected PTB attending Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre. A total of 110 children (4 months-14 years) were studied over a 4-month period. Clinical data were recorded and investigations included Mantoux test, chest X-ray, HIV status (HIV-PCR when younger than 18 months) and sputum, if available. Laryngeal swabs were compared with sputa or gastric aspirates in a subgroup of 60 children. All children were commenced on anti-TB therapy and followed for treatment response. Aware of the clinical overlap between HIV and TB infection, we used more limited criteria than recommended to allocate a final diagnosis following review of all data except HIV status. Final diagnosis included confirmed PTB (n = 8), probable PTB (n = 41), lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (n = 10), pulmonary Kaposi sarcoma (n = 3) and bronchiectasis (n = 5). Culture rates of M. tuberculosis were: five (27.8%) of 18 sputa, three (7.1%) of 42 gastric aspirates and four (6.6%) of 60 laryngeal swabs. The HIV infection rate was 70.6% overall and 57.8% in 45 children with confirmed or probable PTB. Although a positive contact history was more common in HIV-infected children, a final diagnosis of confirmed or probable PTB was less common than in HIV-uninfected children (36% vs 63%; p = 0.02). The Mantoux test was positive in 14 (19%) of 72 HIV-infected compared with 15 (50%) of 30 HIV-uninfected children (p < 0.01). A final diagnosis could not be made in 43 (39%) of the study children with suspected PTB, the majority of whom were HIV-infected. HIV-infected children had a significantly poorer response to TB treatment and higher lost-to-follow-up rates.     

Determination of the six major human herpesviruses in cerebrospinal fluid and blood specimens of children

AIM: To detect and differentiate six major human herpesviruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of children by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). METHODS: We synthesized two pairs of primers in the well-conserved regions of the DNA polymerase gene in human herpesviruses. One pair was designed to amplify cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), and the other pair to amplify varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) by PCR. Virus species identification was achieved by restriction enzyme digestion with BamHI and BstUI. Ninety-eight CSF and 75 blood specimens were analysed by this technique. At the same time, all blood specimens were also examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Thirteen (13.3%) of 98 CSF specimens and 26 (34.7%) of 75 blood specimens were positive for herpesvirus DNA in this PCR assay. Only 10 (13.3%) of the blood specimens were positive in ELISA for virus-IgM antibody. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of PCR in detecting herpesvirus infections compared with ELISA were 100% (10/10), 75.4% (49/65), 38.5% (10/26) and 100% (49/49), respectively. These results indicate that the positive rate of PCR was significantly higher than that of ELISA (p < 0.05). The herpesvirus type of these positive specimens was rapidly detected using restriction enzyme digestion with BamHI and BstUI. CONCLUSIONS: PCR-RFLP is a specific, sensitive and accurate technique for the identification of herpesvirus infections in the CSF and blood of children.