Respiratory morbidity from lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) in vertically acquired HIV infection

The aim of the study was to define the respiratory morbidity caused by lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) in children with vertically acquired HIV infection. A retrospective case note review was performed on 95 children attending three London hospitals. Clinical and radiological evidence of LIP, acute lower respiratory tract infections, and chronic lung disease was obtained using a structured protocol. A diagnosis of LIP had been made in 33%, and an acute admission due to acute lower respiratory tract infection had occurred in 42% of all children (despite 99% taking regular cotrimoxazole prophylaxis). Admission rates because of acute lower respiratory tract infection were significantly higher in the LIP group (0.38 admissions/child year) than in the non-LIP group (0.17 admissions/child year) (p = 0.0002). Encapsulated bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae) were most frequently isolated. Improved methods of prevention of acute lower respiratory tract infection may help to reduce the severe respiratory morbidity seen in children with LIP and HIV infection.     

Respiratory morbidity from lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) in vertically acquired HIV infection

Accepted 31 December 1996The aim of the study was to define the respiratory morbidity caused by lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP) in children with vertically acquired HIV infection. A retrospective case note review was performed on 95 children attending three London hospitals. Clinical and radiological evidence of LIP, acute lower respiratory tract infections, and chronic lung disease was obtained using a structured protocol. A diagnosis of LIP had been made in 33%, and an acute admission due to acute lower respiratory tract infection had occurred in 42% of all children (despite 99% taking regular co-trimoxazole prophylaxis). Admission rates because of acute lower respiratory tract infection were significantly higher in the LIP group (0.38 admissions/child year) than in the non-LIP group (0.17 admissions/child year) (p = 0.0002). Encapsulated bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae) were most frequently isolated. Improved methods of prevention of acute lower respiratory tract infection may help to reduce the severe respiratory morbidity seen in children with LIP and HIV infection.     

Viral infections in hospitalized children affected by acute lower respiratory tract disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of the main respiratory viruses in hospitalized children affected by acute lower respiratory tract disease at a university hospital. METHODS: This is a prospective trial that included two cohorts of hospitalized children in the period from April to July 1996. The groups were selected according to the presence of lower respiratory tract disease on admission: Group A- with acute disease (history of less than 7 days) and B- without present or recent respiratory disease. The parameters for defining lower respiratory tract disease included physical and/or radiological pulmonary changes. Clinical and radiological criteria were established for the classification of lower respiratory tract diseases in group A. Nasopharyngeal swab was collected from all children on admission for viral detection by cellular cultures and direct immunofluorescence. RESULTS: 201 cases were selected, 126 in group A and 75 in group B. Viruses were identified in 71 children from groupA(56.4%) and only in 3 from group B (4.0%). The predominant agent in group A was respiratory syncytial virus, identified in 66 cases; adenovirus (4) and influenza (1) were detected in other patients. In group B two patients with respiratory syncytial virus and one with adenovirus were identified. The patients from group A affected by respiratory syncytial virus were younger (median age 3 months versus 13 months) and more wheezy on physical examination (78.7%) than the other patients of the group (33.3%). This virus was associated to most of the bronchiolitis cases (84%) and to half of the pneumonia cases (46.4%). CONCLUSION: The authors found a significant presence of viruses in the majority of children hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract disease. The respiratory syncytial virus was the predominant agent identified. These results are similar to others previously reported both in developed and some developing countries. The authors emphasize that the present study evaluated only partially the possibility of simultaneous infection by other pathogens and that the present protocol was conducted during the season with the highest incidence of respiratory syncytial virus.     

Atelectasis in children

BACKGROUND: In children with lower respiratory tract symptoms, the elicited signs are not enough to distinguish common diagnosis like pneumonic consolidation, foreign body aspiration and atelectasis. Radiology and bronchoscopy would identify the true nature of the etiology. DESIGN: Prospective study. SUBJECTS: Thirty five children with both acute and chronic lower respiratory tract symptomatology, were analyzed for clinical and radiological signs of atelectasis. RESULTS: There were 23 cases in the acute group and 12 in chronic group. Acute group included cases of pneumonia, foreign body aspiration and mucus plug syndrome. Chronic group included cases of congenital heart disease, endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchial stenosis. Clinical recognition of atelectasis on the basis of localized loss of breath sounds and mediastinal shift was seen only in a minority of cases (8/35). The presence of atelectasis in children with pneumonia, missed clinically were diagnosed by the presence of tracheal shift, elevated hemidiaphragm and silhouette sign. In 21 cases, silhouette sign was positive making it an important radiological sign. Twenty one children underwent either diagnostic or/and therapeutic bronchoscopy. Findings included foreign bodies (n = 5), mucus plugs (n = 4), narrowing of main bronchus (n = 4) and inflammatory mucoid secretions and narrowing of lumen (n = 8). There were no major complications. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of atelectasis in children may pose difficulties and there is a need to have a high index of suspicion to exclude atelectasis in children with either acute or chronic respiratory tract symptomatology.     

CT scan patterns of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in children

Background. To study computed tomographic (CT) findings in children with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) more extensively. Objective. To describe the CT features at the time of diagnosis and after therapeutic broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL). Materials and methods. We retrospectively reviewed the CT scans of five children (aged 3 months to 4 years) examined because of incidental bronchitis (n = 1), disease in a sibling (n = 1) and relapsing fever, cough and dyspnoea (n = 3). Each patient had an initial CT scan. Two asymptomatic cases were not treated but were followed up by plain chest films. The other three had BAL and follow-up CT. Results. Initial CT in all cases showed a diffuse reticulomicronodular pattern associated in three cases with posterior bilateral alveolar infiltrates. CT in the two asymptomatic patients remained unchanged or slightly improved without BAL. After BAL, a variable decrease of lung infiltrates was observed. Conclusions. Correlation between the extent of alveolar consolidation and severity of disease was found. Anatomical and pathological considerations allow us to consider that the classical reticulomicronodular pattern is not due to an interstitial infiltration but to alveoli filled with the abnormal material characteristic of PAP. Received: 11 February 1998 Accepted: 26 June 1998     

Heterotaxia syndrome: the role of screening for intestinal rotation abnormalities

Background: Heterotaxia syndrome involves multiple anomalies, including cardiac malformations and intestinal rotation abnormalities. Most authors recommend routine radiological evaluation, with laparotomy and Ladd procedure if a rotation abnormality is found. Aims: To determine if routine radiological screening is necessary, and if there is a group of children that can safely be managed expectantly. Methods: Retrospective chart review of all children with heterotaxia syndrome from 1968 to 2002. Results: Complete data were available for 177 patients. Twenty five (14%) had neonatal gastrointestinal symptoms (feeding intolerance, vomiting). Eleven of these had gastrointestinal contrast studies, of which seven were abnormal and led to surgery. Of the 152 asymptomatic neonates, nine had radiological screening and six of these were abnormal. Only one was thought to have a narrow based mesentery, but did not undergo surgery due to cardiac disease. There were no intestinal complications on follow up in this group. The other 143 asymptomatic children did not undergo radiological screening and were closely followed. Four subsequently developed gastrointestinal symptoms and had contrast studies; only one of these had malrotation and underwent a Ladd procedure. Of the remaining 139 patients who remained asymptomatic, 60 (43%) died of cardiac disease and none developed intestinal symptoms or complications related to malrotation on follow up. Conclusion: Asymptomatic children with heterotaxia syndrome have a low risk of adverse outcome related to intestinal rotation abnormalities. Routine screening may not be necessary as long as close follow up is done, and prompt investigation is performed for those that develop gastrointestinal symptomatology.     

Heterotaxia syndrome: the role of screening for intestinal rotation abnormalities.

BACKGROUND: Heterotaxia syndrome involves multiple anomalies, including cardiac malformations and intestinal rotation abnormalities. Most authors recommend routine radiological evaluation, with laparotomy and Ladd procedure if a rotation abnormality is found. AIMS: To determine if routine radiological screening is necessary, and if there is a group of children that can safely be managed expectantly. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of all children with heterotaxia syndrome from 1968 to 2002. RESULTS: Complete data were available for 177 patients. Twenty five (14%) had neonatal gastrointestinal symptoms (feeding intolerance, vomiting). Eleven of these had gastrointestinal contrast studies, of which seven were abnormal and led to surgery. Of the 152 asymptomatic neonates, nine had radiological screening and six of these were abnormal. Only one was thought to have a narrow based mesentery, but did not undergo surgery due to cardiac disease. There were no intestinal complications on follow up in this group. The other 143 asymptomatic children did not undergo radiological screening and were closely followed. Four subsequently developed gastrointestinal symptoms and had contrast studies; only one of these had malrotation and underwent a Ladd procedure. Of the remaining 139 patients who remained asymptomatic, 60 (43%) died of cardiac disease and none developed intestinal symptoms or complications related to malrotation on follow up. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic children with heterotaxia syndrome have a low risk of adverse outcome related to intestinal rotation abnormalities. Routine screening may not be necessary as long as close follow up is done, and prompt investigation is performed for those that develop gastrointestinal symptomatology.     

Efficacy of three treatment schedules in severe meconium aspiration syndrome

Aim: To compare three different schedules in severe meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) treatment: standard, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) with diluted surfactant, and diluted surfactant BAL plus a single early dexamethasone dose. Methods: Twenty-four full-term newborns with severe MAS (needing mechanical ventilation and with oxygenation index ≥15) were divided into three groups: group I (historical control group; n = 6) treated with standard therapy; group II (n = 7) treated in the first hours of life with one BAL using diluted surfactant (beractant 5 mg/mL) in a volume of 15 mL/kg in four aliquots; and group III (n = 11) treated with one diluted surfactant BAL and a previous single dose of intravenous dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) Results: At 12 h, groups II and III showed a significant improvement in oxygenation index (OI) compared with group I (14.7% and 27.0% vs -19.6% respectively; p = 0.012). Group III also showed a significantly lower OI than group I at 24 h (63.6% vs -27.9%) and at 48 h (87.1% vs 49.6%). Group III, in comparison to group I, showed a lower FiO ₂ requirement at 12 h (0.66 vs 1), at 24 h (0.4 vs 0.87) and at 48 h (0.35 vs 0.67), and a decrease in the number of days of inhaled nitric oxide administration, mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy and hospitalisation period. All patients from groups II and III survived and none developed pneumothorax or respiratory infections.

Conclusion: Diluted surfactant BAL in the first hours of life combined with an intravenous single dose of dexamethasone may be an effective treatment for severe MAS.     

Mediastino-pulmonary sarcoidosis in children. Clinical study, analysis of data of bronchoalveolar fluid lavage and respiratory function tests, therapeutic trends]

A series of 27 children (mean age: 12 yrs, 5 mos.) presenting with thoracic sarcoidosis is reported. This series, collected from 1961 to 1988 shows the rarity of the disease at that age. However the low rate of asymptomatic forms (22%) suggests that the frequency of the disease is underestimated, as it is not diagnosed. The histological proof is necessary for the diagnosis. When peripheral lesions available for biopsy are lacking, a liver needle biopsy is helpful (93% of positivity). This study shows the frequency of multivisceral types, the intensity of the macrophagic and lymphocytic alveolitis. The therapeutic indications depend on the comparison of the radiological stage, the results of pulmonary function tests (PFT), those of the bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) and of the serum granulomatous activity markers, especially concerning angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). When present at the beginning of evolution, several risk factors lead to use a corticosteroid treatment: age of onset before 4 years, multivisceral involvement, presence of functional pulmonary signs, delayed diagnosis and onset of treatment, impaired respiratory function (especially concerning the alveolo-capillary diffusion), PMN cells greater than or equal to 2% in the initial BAL, and IgG proteins greater than 4 SD. Thus sarcoidosis in children differs from that seen in adults as it has a more marked evolutive tendency and leaves severe sequelae in one third of patients.     

Lead poisoning in children. Apropos of 129 cases

One hundred and twenty nine children with chronic lead poisoning were followed from August 1985 to July 1989. Old lead paint was recognized as the contaminant source at home. Pica of paint flakes was the main mode of intoxication. Children were classified according to the Center for Disease Control 1985 as follows: class IV (39 cases), class III (45 cases), class II (30 cases), class I (15 cases). Nineteen of those in class IV had blood lead levels above 700 micrograms/l and received BAL + EDTA followed by EDTA alone for a mean of 4.6 +/- 3.5 courses. With this treatment, blood lead level decreases were 50 +/- 17%. Nine of these class IV children had an evaluation at last 3 months after the last chelation course: 5 became class I or II, and 2 class III with a negative provocative test. The remaining 20 children in class IV were given a mean of 2.7 +/- 1.4 courses of EDTA. Blood lead levels decreased by 52 +/- 15%; 11 children were evaluable at least 3 months after the last chelation course: 4 became class I, and 7 class II. Thus overall 80% of class IV moved under treatment to class I or II. Among those 45 children in class II, 30 underwent a provocative test and 24 one to three courses of EDTA: 8 were further studied: 3 became class I and 5 class II. Combination of screening, medical treatment and sociocultural approach led to avoid acute effects of severe chronic childhood lead poisoning. The efficacy of such an approach in preventing chronic effects has still to be evaluated.     

小儿间质性肺疾病14例临床-影像-病理诊断分析

目的 了解小儿间质性肺疾病的临床特点、影像学特征和病理类型.方法 以2009年来自全国7家医院拟诊为弥漫性肺疾病的19例患儿为研究对象,收集所有病例的临床资料,住院期间做常规的呼吸道分泌物的细菌培养、呼吸道病毒抗原检查、血清的病毒和支原体抗体检查,以及血清学的免疫抗体检查,以排除感染和结缔组织病的因素;所有病例均进行胸CT或高分辨率CT检查,血气分析;据病情轻重和年龄尽可能进行肺功能检查;所有病例均进行肺活检.由临床医师、放射科医师和病理科医师按临床-放射-病理(C-R-P)诊断模式共同讨论3次完成最终疾病诊断.结果 19例中有5例被剔除,包括证实为真菌感染、肺血管异常和硬化性血管瘤各1例,2例资料不全.14例患儿诊断为间质性肺疾病,其中男10例,女4例,年龄范围为1岁4个月～13岁.(1)临床特点:14例均有咳嗽,12例同时有气短,8例三凹征,4例肺内可闻及湿哕音,5例有杵状指趾.(2)影像学特征:肺CT显示12例有磨玻璃影,另2例中,1例为弥漫性的细小结节影,1例为弥漫性网格影和泡性肺气肿.(3)病理证据:4例患儿的肺病理提供了确切诊断,包括2例肺泡蛋白沉着症,1例为肺泡微石症,1例为类脂性肺炎,另10例患儿肺组织提供了病理类型.(4)按C-R-P模式诊断:4例为继发性的间质性肺疾病,其中继发于系统性红斑狼疮的急性间质性肺炎1例,HIV感染引起的淋巴细胞间质性肺炎1例,2例为外源性过敏性肺泡炎;余6例为原因不明的间质性肺疾病,诊断为特发性间质性肺炎,包括4例非特异性间质性肺炎,1例急性间质性肺炎,1例为淋巴细胞间质性肺炎.结论 小儿间质性肺疾病是一组异质性疾病.临床表现无特异性,以咳嗽、气短为主要表现.肺部影像学以磨玻璃样阴影为主要改变.不同的间质性肺疾病病理表现各异.

Abstract：

Objective The pediatric interstitial lung disease is a group of poorly understood disease entities. This study aimed to better understand the clinical features, radiological manifestations and pathological patterns of pediatric interstitial lung disease. Method Patients with diffuse lung disease seen in the year 2009 in 7 hospitals were studied by the Pediatric Interstitial Lung Disease Cooperative Group.Nineteen patients underwent lung biopsy, 11 cases were male, 8 were female and their age ranged from 1 year and 4 months to 13 years. Respiratory tract secretions were obtained for bacterial culture, respiratory virus antigen examination, mycoplasma antibody, EB virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses antibody detection were performed. The CT or HRCT of the lung and blood-gas analysis and lung biopsy were performed for all the patients. One case underwent open lung biopsy, two cases received percutaneous biopsy, and other 16 cases were experienced video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy. Result Five cases had been excluded, for one case had fungal infection, one had abnormal pneumoangiogram, one had sclerosing hemangioma, and two had no sufficient data. The remaining 14 cases were included into the analysis. All the 14 cases had cough, 12 of them also had tachuyppoea, four cases had rales and five had clubbing. High resolution CT showed that 12 cases had ground-glass opacification, 1 had diffuse micronodular opacities, the pathological pattern of this case was pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, and in the case of diffuse reticulonodular opacities and cysts, the pathology of the lung was NSIP. All the 14 cases had the proof of the diagnosis or the type of the pathology. Four cases were diagnosed by pathology of the lung, incuding 1 case of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, 2 cases of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, 1 case of lipoid pneumonia.Clinical-radiologic-pathologic (C-R-P) diagnosis of the other 10 cases were as follows: 4 cases had secondary interstitial lung disease, one secondary to LES, one to human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV )infection and 2 had hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The other 6 cases had idiopathic interstitial pneumonia with unknown causes, of whom 4 cases had non-specific interstitial pneumonia, 1 case had acute interstitial pneumonia and 1 case had lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. Conclusion Pediatric interstitial lung disease is a heterogeneous group of disorders. The clinical manifestation of these disorders was not specific,and the main symptoms were cough and tachypnoea. The ground-glass opacification was the main change in the HRCT of the lung. The different interstitial lung diseases have different pathological features. The C-R-P diagnostic analysis may enhance the rate of specific diagnosis and the awareness level of the pediatrician about the interstitial lung disease in childhood.     

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia and very low birthweight: Lung function at 11 years of age

Objective : To determine the relationship between lung function at 11 years of age and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in very low birthweight (VLBW) children.
Methodology : This study comprised 154 consecutive surviving VLBW children, divided into three groups with respect to their neonatal respiratory morbidity: group I developed BPD; group II required assisted ventilation but did not develop BPD; and group III required no assisted ventilation. Lung function tests were measured on 120/154 (77.9%) children at 11 years of age. The relationship between various lung function variables and neonatal lung disease was analysed by multiple linear regression.
Results : Several lung function variables reflecting airflow were significantly diminished in the BPD group ( n = 15), and residual volume was significantly higher. Despite poorer lung function overall, few children in the BPD group had lung function abnormalities in the clinically significant range ( n = 2 [13.3%] with a forced expired volume in 1 s <75% predicted; n = 2 [13.3%] with a forced vital capacity <75% predicted; n = 1 [6.7%] with a residual volume/total lung capacity >35%). There were no significant differences in lung function variables between group II ( n = 41) and group III ( n = 64). Changes in lung function tests between 8 and 11 years did not vary significantly between the three groups.
Conclusions : VLBW children with BPD in the newborn period have poorer lung function at 11 years of age than other surviving VLBW children without BPD, although few have lung function abnormalities in the clinically significant range.     

儿童肺动脉吊带与双主动脉弓伴随的肺气管畸形比较

目的评价血管环中双主动脉弓与肺动脉吊带伴随的气管狭窄与气道畸形的异同。方法回顾性分析2010年7月至2015年7月的双主动脉弓和肺动脉吊带患儿的临床和螺旋CT影像学资料。结果双主动脉弓患儿16例,男11例、女5例,发病中位年龄3.5个月;肺动脉吊带患儿47例,男28例、女19例,发病中位年龄4个月。16例双主动脉弓患儿中14例伴随气道狭窄,累及多个分段者2例,均为累及分段Ⅱ、Ⅲ;仅累及1个分段者12例。47例肺动脉吊带患儿均发生不同程度气道狭窄,其中狭窄累及多个分段者27例,最常见的是同时累及分段Ⅱ、Ⅲ者19例;2例同时累及4个气道段,仅累及1个气道分段者20例。两者累及气道分段数量差异有统计学意义(χ~2=13.588,P=0.001)。16例双主动脉弓患儿合并气管性支气管1例,合并肺发育不良1例;47例肺动脉吊带患儿中合并支气管桥8例,合并气管性支气管3例,合并肺发育不良3例,支气管缺如(或气管憩室)5例,合并肺前肠畸形2例。两者合并气道畸形的差异有统计学意义(χ~2=5.333,P=0.021)。结论肺动脉吊带合并的气道狭窄和气道肺畸形较双主动脉弓更为突出。     

Efficacy of primary hepatitis B immunization in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND: Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) carry a high risk of hepatitis B virus (HIV) infection. The present study was conducted to see if prior routine hepatitis B vaccine received as a part of national immunization program could prevent HBV infection in these children. METHODOLOGY: Ninety-six children with ALL were screened for HBV. Children were divided into three groups according to their initial HBV serology; previously vaccinated children (Group I) (n=34) previously unvaccinated and seronegative children (Group II) (n=56),and unvaccinated but HBsAg negative and anti-HBs positive children (group III) (n=6). Sixty-seven of 96 (69.7%) children received vaccination. The schedule was initiated during the third month of maintenance therapy and each course consisted of three doses given at one month interval. RESULTS: Anti-HBs seroconversion following the first course of three doses of hepatitis B vaccination in group I, II and III was 57%, 33% and 100%, respectively. It increased to 97% in Group I, 62.5% in Group II, 100% in Group III. HBsAg positivity was found in 11 children (11.5%) and all of them developed chronic hepatitis B. Ten of them were in Group II whereas only one child was in Group I (P<0.04). CONCLUSION: This data reveals that routine HBV vaccination within the national immunization program plays an important role in decreasing subsequent hepatitis B infection in children with ALL.     

Prenatal period to adolescence: the variable presentations of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation

BACKGROUND: Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of the lung is a rare but potentially life-threatening pulmonary anomaly. METHODS: Seven patients operated on with the diagnosis of CCAM were reviewed to determine the clinical presentation, age at diagnosis, histopathologic types and the postoperative course. RESULTS: Cough and respiratory distress were common clinical findings in the patients in the present study. Two of the patients had congenital respiratory distress. The patient who was diagnosed at 15 years had cough, hemoptysis and anorexia for the last 4 months. One patient who received the diagnosis of CCAM prenatally was asymptomatic until she was operated on, on the 45th postnatal day. All patients but one were operated on and histopathological diagnosis was made for each of them between the ages of 4 days to 12 months. Four patients were diagnosed as having CCAM type I, and three patients had CCAM type II histopathologically. Duration of postoperative follow up was between 3 months and 15 years. Neither patient had complaints during that period. CONCLUSION: CCAM can present at different ages and in various clinical presentations. There can even be asymptomatic patients who receive their diagnosis during the prenatal period. The possibility of an underlying CCAM should be considered in infants with recurrent chest infections or persistent abnormalities on chest X-ray following an acute infection. CCAM should also be considered in cases with lung abscess, even in adolescents with no past history of pulmonary complaints.     

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in children with tuberculosis

This prospective study was carried out in the pediatric ward and outpatient department of a tertiary care centre to estimate the prevalence of HIV seropositivity in children with tuberculosis. Two hundred and fifty consecutive children below 12 years of age with (pulmonary and extrapulmonary) tuberculosis diagnosed between March 1999 and July 2000 were screened for HIV infection. A patient was labeled as HIV positive if two consecutive ELISA tests were found positive using different antigen/principle. Supplemental western blot test was also done. Parents of seropositive children were also screened for HIV infection and tuberculosis. Total 5 cases were HIV positive giving a seroprevalence of 2%. All the five patients had disseminated tuberculosis. We suggest regular screening of children with disseminated/miliary tuberculosis for HIV co-infection.     

Epstein-Barr virus infection in children with AIDS

OBJECTIVE: The association of the HIV and Epstein-Barr virus infections has been reported in several studies, specially in children that present lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. The analysis of the incidence of Epstein-Barr virus infection was performed in children with AIDS, in those with AIDS with and without lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis, comparing to children without HIV infection. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 60 children with AIDS and 54 children not infected by HIV, matched by sex and age, in the Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusm?o in Florianópolis city, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, between June 1994 and June 1995. The selection of the cases followed the order of the consultation. The detection of antibodies against Epstein-Barr capsid antigen was performed by standard indirect immunofluorescence techniques and ELISA, and antibodies against nuclear antigen only by ELISA. The stage of the infection was defined according to serologic responses. RESULTS: Lymphadenopathy occurred in 59 cases (98.3%), hepatomegaly in 51 (85.0%), splenomegaly in 46 (76.7%), recurrent bronchopneumonia in 41 (68.3%). Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis was observed in 21 cases (35.0%), 90.5% of which showed positive serologic reactions to EBV. The geometric mean of the IgG against capsid antigen titers was 1:439.5 in the cases group and 1:42.8 in the controls. The IgM against capsid antigen by indirect immunofluorescence techniques was positive in 16 (26.7%) of the 60 cases and only in one of the 53 controls (1.9%) (p=0.0002). The primary Epstein-Barr virus infection was evidenced with greater frequency in the children with AIDS (p<0.0001), as well as the reactivated infection (p=0.0745). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of primary and reactivated Epstein-Barr virus infection was more frequent in the patients with AIDS. The primary and reactivated Epstein-Barr virus infection was observed in almost all of the patients with diagnosis of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (90.5%).     

Cardiac dysfunction in HIV infected children: a pilot study

Twenty six perinatally acquired HAART naive HIV positive children asymptomatic for cardiac disease in age group of 1-9 years were evaluated for cardiac abnormalities by echocardiography. All children were classified according to the revised CDC classification for HIV infection in children. 20 (76.9 percent) patients had evidence of cardiac abnormalities on echocardiography. 18 (69.2 percent) patients in category B had statistically significant abnormal echocardiographic finding . The commonest echocardiographic abnormalities seen were left ventricular dilatation in 10 (38.5 percent) and left ventricular hypertrophy in 10 (38.5 percent) patients. Echocardiographic abnormalities are present even in HIV-infected children who are asymptomatic for cardiac dysfunction.     

Acute respiratory illness in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Ten of 70 children (14%) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed severe interstitial pneumonitis within three weeks after induction of central nervous system prophylactic therapy. The clinical picture was characterized by fever, cough, progressive dyspnea, and hypoxemia with complete resolution in one to three weeks, except in one patient who died during the acute illness from respiratory failure. P. carinii organisms were found in the lung tissue of only one patient. The etiology of the pneumonitis in the other nine children was probably viral, acquired or activated during a period of lymphopenia and immunosuppression. The morbidity and potential mortality from the pneumonitis warrants early recognition by open lung biopsy and intensive supportive therapy.