Eric Biondi

Epidemiology of bacteremia in febrile infants in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Fever in infants is a common clinical dilemma. The objective of this study was to present data from hospital systems across the northeast, southeast, mid-west, and western United States to identify the pathogens causing bacteremia in febrile infants admitted to general care units. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of positive blood culture results in febrile infants aged ≤90 days admitted to a general care unit across 6 hospital systems. Data were collected from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2012 from emergency departments and general inpatient units. Cultures from ICUs, central lines, or infants who had complex comorbidities were excluded, as were repeat cultures positive for the same bacteria. Common contaminants were considered pathogens if they were treated as such. RESULTS: We identified 181 cases of bacteremia in 177 infants. The most common pathogen was Escherichia coli (42%), followed by group B Streptococcus (23%). Streptococcus pneumoniae was more likely in older infants (P = .01). Non-low-risk bacteremic infants were more likely to have E coli or group B Streptococcus than low-risk bacteremic infants. We identified no cases of Listeria monocytogenes. Variation between sites was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest and most geographically diverse study to date examining the epidemiology of bacteremia in infants. We suggest E coli is the most common cause of bacteremia in previously healthy febrile infants admitted to a general inpatient unit. We identified no cases of L monocytogenes and question whether empirical therapy remains necessary for this pathogen.

Treatment of Mycoplasma Pneumonia: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Children with community-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (CA-LRTI) commonly receive antibiotics for Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The objective was to evaluate the effect of treating M. pneumoniae in children with CA-LRTI. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and bibliography review. A search was conducted by using Medical Subject Headings terms related to CA-LRTI and M. pneumoniae and was not restricted by language. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies of children ≤17 years old with confirmed M. pneumoniae and a diagnosis of CA-LRTI; each must have also compared treatment regimens with and without spectrum of activity against M. pneumoniae. Data extraction and quality assessment were completed independently by multiple reviewers before arriving at a consensus. Data were pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: Sixteen articles detailing 17 studies were included. The most commonly selected primary outcome was symptomatic improvement. Nine studies examined M. pneumoniae treatment in CA-LRTI secondary to M. pneumoniae, and 5 RCTs met criteria for meta-analysis. The suggested pooled risk difference of 0.12 (95% confidence interval, −0.04 to 0.20) favoring treatment was not significantly different and demonstrated significant heterogeneity. Limitations included substantial bias and subjective outcomes within the individual studies, difficulty interpreting testing modalities, and the inability to correct for mixed infections or timing of intervention. CONCLUSIONS: We identified insufficient evidence to support or refute treatment of M. pneumoniae in CA-LRTI. These data highlight the need for well-designed, prospective RCTs assessing the effect of treating M. pneumoniae in CA-LRTI.

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Urinalysis for Urinary Tract Infection in Infants <3 Months of Age

BACKGROUND: The 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics urinary tract infection (UTI) guideline suggests incorporation of a positive urinalysis (UA) into the definition of UTI. However, concerns linger over UA sensitivity in young infants. Infants with the same pathogenic organism in the blood and urine (bacteremic UTI) have true infections and represent a desirable population for examination of UA sensitivity. METHODS: We collected UA results on a cross-sectional sample of 276 infants <3 months of age with bacteremic UTI from 11 hospital systems. Sensitivity was calculated on infants who had at least a partial UA performed and had ≥50 000 colony-forming units per milliliter from the urine culture. Specificity was determined by using a random sample of infants from the central study site with negative urine cultures. RESULTS: The final sample included 245 infants with bacteremic UTI and 115 infants with negative urine cultures. The sensitivity of leukocyte esterase was 97.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 94.5%–99.2%) and of pyuria (>3 white blood cells/high-power field) was 96% (95% CI 92.5%–98.1%). Only 1 infant with bacteremic UTI (Group B Streptococcus) and a complete UA had an entirely negative UA. In infants with negative urine cultures, leukocyte esterase specificity was 93.9% (95% CI 87.9 – 97.5) and of pyuria was 91.3% (84.6%–95.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In young infants with bacteremic UTI, UA sensitivity is higher than previous reports in infants with UTI in general. This finding can be explained by spectrum bias or by inclusion of faulty gold standards (contaminants or asymptomatic bacteriuria) in previous studies.

Blood Culture Time to Positivity in Febrile Infants With Bacteremia

IMPORTANCE Blood cultures are often obtained as part of the evaluation of infants with fever and these infants are typically observed until their cultures are determined to have no growth. However, the time to positivity of blood culture results in this population is not known. OBJECTIVE To determine the time to positivity of blood culture results in febrile infants admitted to a general inpatient unit. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Multicenter, retrospective, cross-sectional evaluation of blood culture time to positivity. Data were collected by community and academic hospital systems associated with the Pediatric Research in Inpatient Settings Network. The study included febrile infants 90 days of age or younger with bacteremia and without surgical histories outside of an intensive care unit. EXPOSURES Blood culture growing pathogenic bacteria. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Time to positivity and proportion of positive blood culture results that become positive more than 24 hours after placement in the analyzer. RESULTS A total of 392 pathogenic blood cultures were included from 17 hospital systems across the United States. The mean (SD) time to positivity was 15.41 (8.30) hours. By 24 hours, 91% (95% CI, 88-93) had turned positive. By 36 and 48 hours, 96% (95% CI, 95-98) and 99% (95% CI, 97-100) had become positive, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Most pathogens in febrile, bacteremic infants 90 days of age or younger hospitalized on a general inpatient unit will be identified within 24 hours of collection. These data suggest that inpatient observation of febrile infants for more than 24 hours may be unnecessary in most infants.

Discordance Between Resident and Faculty Perceptions of Resident Autonomy: Can Self-determination Theory Help Interpret Differences and Guide Strategies for Bridging the Divide?

Purpose To identify and interpret differences between resident and faculty perceptions of resident autonomy and of faculty support of resident autonomy. Method Parallel questionnaires were sent to pediatric residents and faculty at the University of Rochester Medical Center in 2011. Items addressed self-determination theory (SDT) constructs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and asked residents and faculty to rate and/or comment on their own and the other group’s behaviors. Distributions of responses to 17 parallel Likert scale items were compared by Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Written comments underwent qualitative content analysis. Results Respondents included 62/78 residents (79%) and 71/100 faculty (71%). The groups differed significantly on 15 of 17 parallel items but agreed that faculty sometimes provided too much direction. Written comments suggested that SDT constructs were closely interrelated in residency training. Residents expressed frustration that their care plans were changed without explanation. Faculty reported reluctance to give “passive” residents autonomy in patient care unless stakes were low. Many reported granting more independence to residents who displayed motivation and competence. Some described working to overcome residents’ passivity by clarifying and reinforcing expectations. Conclusions Faculty and residents had discordant perceptions of resident autonomy and of faculty support for resident autonomy. When faculty restrict the independence of “passive” residents whose competence they question, residents may receive fewer opportunities for active learning. Strategies that support autonomy, such as scaffolding, may help residents gain confidence and competence, enhance residents’ relatedness to team members and supervisors, and help programs adapt to accreditation requirements to foster residents’ growth in independence.

Epidemiology of Bacteremia in Previously Healthy Febrile Infants: A Follow-up Study

OBJECTIVE Describe the etiology of bacteremia among a geographically diverse sample of previously well infants with fever admitted for general pediatric care and to characterize demographic and clinical characteristics of infants with bacteremia according to bacterial etiology. We hypothesized that the epidemiology of bacteremia in febrile infants from a geographically diverse cohort would show similar results to smaller or single-center cohorts previously reported. METHODS This was a retrospective review of positive, pathogenic blood cultures in previously healthy, febrile infants≤90 days old admitted to a general unit. In total, there were 17 participating sites from diverse geographic regions of the United States. Cultures were included if the results were positive for bacteria, obtained from an infant 90 days old or younger with a temperature≥38.0°C, analyzed using an automated detection system, and treated as pathogenic. RESULTS Escherichia coli was the most prevalent species, followed by group B Streptococcus, Streptococcus viridans, and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the most prevalent bacteria, there was no association between gender and species (Ps>.05). Age at presentation was associated only with Streptococcus pneumoniae. There were no cases of Listeria monocytogenes. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms the data from smaller or single-center studies and suggests that the management of febrile well-appearing infants should change to reflect the current epidemiology of bacteremia. Further research is needed into the role of lumbar puncture, as well as the role of Listeria and Enterococcus species in infantile bacteremia.

Is Dexamethasone an Effective Alternative to Oral Prednisone in the Treatment of Pediatric Asthma Exacerbations

BACKGROUND A short course of systemic corticosteroids is an important therapy in the treatment of pediatric asthma exacerbations. Although a 5-day course of oral prednisone or prednisolone has become the most commonly used regimen, dexamethasone has also been used for a shorter duration (1-2 days) with potential for improvement in compliance and palatability. We reviewed the literature to determine if there is sufficient evidence that dexamethasone can be used as an effective alternative in the treatment of pediatric asthma exacerbations in the inpatient setting. METHODS A Medline search was conducted on the use of dexamethasone in the treatment of asthma exacerbations in children. The studies selected were clinical trials comparing the efficacy of dexamethasone with prednisone. Meta-analysis was performed examining physician revisitation rates and symptomatic return to baseline. RESULTS Six completed pediatric clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. All of the pediatric trials found that prednisone is not superior to dexamethasone in treating mild to moderate asthma exacerbations. Meta-analysis demonstrated homogeneity between the dexamethasone and prednisone groups when examining symptomatic return to baseline and unplanned physician revisits after the initial emergency department encounter. Some studies found potential additional benefits of dexamethasone, including improved compliance and less vomiting. CONCLUSIONS The current literature suggests that dexamethasone can be used as an effective alternative to prednisone in the treatment of mild to moderate acute asthma exacerbations in children, with the added benefits of improved compliance, palatability, and cost. However, more research is needed to examine the role of dexamethasone in hospitalized children.

Bacteraemic urinary tract infection: Management and outcomes in young infants

Objectives To determine predictors of parenteral antibiotic duration and the association between parenteral treatment duration and relapses in infants <3 months with bacteraemic urinary tract infection (UTI). Design Multicentre retrospective cohort study. Setting Eleven healthcare institutions across the USA. Patients Infants <3 months of age with bacteraemic UTI, defined as the same pathogenic organism isolated from blood and urine. Main outcome measures Duration of parenteral antibiotic therapy, relapsed UTI within 30 days. Results The mean (±SD) duration of parenteral antibiotics for the 251 included infants was 7.8 days (±4 days), with considerable variability between institutions (mean range 5.5–12 days). Independent predictors of the duration of parenteral antibiotic therapy included (coefficient, 95% CI): age (−0.2 days, −0.3 days to −0.08 days, for each week older), year treated (−0.2 days, −0.4 to −0.03 days for each subsequent calendar year), male gender (0.9 days, 0.01 to 1.8 days), a positive repeat blood culture during acute treatment (3.5 days, 1.2–5.9 days) and a non-Escherichia coli organism (2.2 days, 0.8–3.6 days). No infants had a relapsed bacteraemic UTI. Six infants (2.4%) had a relapsed UTI (without bacteraemia). The duration of parenteral antibiotics did not differ between infants with and without a relapse (8.2 vs 7.8 days, p=0.81). Conclusions Parenteral antibiotic treatment duration in young infants with bacteraemic UTI was variable and only minimally explained by measurable patient factors. Relapses were rare and were not associated with treatment duration. Shorter parenteral courses may be appropriate in some infants.

Evaluating the Use of Blood Cultures in the Management of Children Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Background Blood cultures are often recommended for the evaluation of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, institutions vary in their use of blood cultures, and blood cultures have unclear utility in CAP management in hospitalized children. Objective To identify clinical factors associated with obtaining blood cultures in children hospitalized with CAP, and to estimate the association between blood culture obtainment and hospital length of stay (LOS). Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of children admitted with a diagnosis of CAP to any of four pediatric hospitals in the United States from January 1, 2011-December 31, 2012. Demographics, medical history, diagnostic testing, and clinical outcomes were abstracted via manual chart review. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated patient and clinical factors for associations with obtaining blood cultures. Propensity score-matched Kaplan-Meier analysis compared patients with and without blood cultures for hospital LOS. Results Six hundred fourteen charts met inclusion criteria; 390 children had blood cultures obtained. Of children with blood cultures, six (1.5%) were positive for a pathogen and nine (2.3%) grew a contaminant. Factors associated with blood culture obtainment included presenting with symptoms of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.10–2.89), receiving intravenous hydration (OR 3.94, 95% CI 3.22–4.83), receiving antibiotics before admission (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17–1.89), hospital admission from the ED (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.05–2.60), and having health insurance (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.30–0.60). In propensity score-matched analysis, patients with blood cultures had median 0.8 days longer LOS (2.0 vs 1.2 days, P < .0001) without increased odds of readmission (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.45–1.97) or death (P = .25). Conclusions Obtaining blood cultures in children hospitalized with CAP rarely identifies a causative pathogen and is associated with increased LOS. Our results highlight the need to refine the role of obtaining blood cultures in children hospitalized with CAP.

A Multicenter Collaborative to Improve Care of Community Acquired Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children

Through low-cost strategies including collaborative sharing and peer benchmarking, this study increased judicious use of antibiotics in a diverse range of hospitals for pediatric pneumonia. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Value in Inpatient Pediatrics Network sponsored the Improving Care in Community Acquired Pneumonia collaborative with the goal of increasing evidence-based management of children hospitalized with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Project aims included: increasing use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics, decreasing use of macrolides, and decreasing concurrent treatment of pneumonia and asthma. METHODS: Data were collected through chart review across emergency department (ED), inpatient, and discharge settings. Sites reviewed up to 20 charts in each of 6 3-month cycles. Analysis of means with 3-σ control limits was the primary method of assessment for change. The expert panel developed project measures, goals, and interventions. A change package of evidence-based tools to promote judicious use of antibiotics and raise awareness of asthma and pneumonia codiagnosis was disseminated through webinars. Peer coaching and periodic benchmarking were used to motivate change. RESULTS: Fifty-three hospitals enrolled and 48 (91%) completed the 1-year project (July 2014–June 2015). A total of 3802 charts were reviewed for the project; 1842 during baseline cycles and 1960 during postintervention cycles. The median before and after use of narrow-spectrum antibiotics in the collaborative increased by 67% in the ED, 43% in the inpatient setting, and 25% at discharge. Median before and after use of macrolides decreased by 22% in the ED and 27% in the inpatient setting. A decrease in asthma and CAP codiagnosis was noted, but the change was not sustained. CONCLUSIONS: Low-cost strategies, including collaborative sharing, peer benchmarking, and coaching, increased judicious use of antibiotics in a diverse range of hospitals for pediatric CAP.