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Unlabelled: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is considered to be bacteria with a low capability to produce nitrite., Objective: To investigate the incidence of a positive urine nitrite test in community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI) in children, caused by PA., Methods: The medical records of 38 children (18 females) admitted for febrile PA UTI during a period of 7 years were reviewed. Urine nitrite tests were carried out using dipstrips, and results were reported as positive or negative., Results: Of the 38 patients, 17 had a positive nitrite test and 21 had a negative test (proportion of positive 0.45, 95% confidence interval 0.29 to 0.61). Pyuria was detected in 13/17 patients with a positive nitrate test vs. 5/21 with a negative test (p=0.003). Data regarding renal ultrasound (US) were available for 35 patients, and in 20 abnormalities were detected, 14/17 in the positive vs. 6/18 in negative nitrite group (p = 0.001)., Conclusion: The urine nitrite test may be positive in PA UTI, therefore, a positive test does not rule out Pseudomonas UTI.

Elevated serum levels of uric acid are caused by increased production or decreased renal excretion. Another cause of the disorder which is less familiar is hyperuricemia following rotavirus infection. This is a case study of a girl who was admitted for abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Multiple abdominal lymph nodes up to 2.8 x 3.0 cm size were noted on the ultrasound examination. The patient's laboratory findings were significant for hyperuricemia and elevation of lactic dehydrogenase. The patient had no evidence of dehydration and the combination of her clinical signs and symptoms and laboratory findings were consistent for a malignancy. Proof of the rotaviral antigen in her stool, the fact that uric acid levels returned to normal within five days, and a normal repeat ultrasound examination, ruled out this possibility. This clinical case highlights the association between hyperuricemia and rotavirus infection. An understanding of this association may avoid performing unnecessary diagnostic tests in the patient.

Hemophagocytic syndrome is a rare, fulminant disease characterized by generalized histiocytic proliferation associated with phagocytosis of erythrocytes, platelets, and to a lesser extent, of white blood cells. We report a 2-year-old boy admitted with high fever and irritability, with a rash, marked hepatomegaly and generalized lymphadenopathy. Liver function tests were abnormal and there was thrombocytopenia and hyperlipidemia. Bone marrow aspiration revealed hemophagocytosis. Despite intensive treatment with steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin and cytotoxic drugs, he died within 10 weeks.