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The purpose of this study is to evaluate childhood bacterial meningitis (BM): incidence, clinical presentation, causative pathogens, diagnostics, and outcome (neurological sequelae, hearing loss, and death). A retrospective review of all children aged ≤ 16 years and 1 month diagnosed with BM at a tertiary children's centre in the period 2010–2020. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to assess outcome, with a GOS score of 1–4 considered to be an unfavourable outcome. Logistic regression univariate analysis was used to determine predefined risk factors for death, unfavourable outcome, and long-term neurological sequelae. Seventy-four patients (44 males) with a median age of 8.0 months (range 1 day to 16 years and 1 month) and 77 BM episodes were included in the study. The average incidence rate of BM was 2.2/100,000/year, the majority (91%) being community-acquired BM. Streptococcus pneumonia and Neisseria meningitidis were the most common pathogens 12/77 (16%) each. Neurological sequelae at discharge were present in 24 (34%) patients, unfavourable outcome in 19 (25%), and hearing loss (deafness) in two (3%) survivors of BM. Seven (9%) patients died. Long-term neurological sequelae were observed in 19/60 (32%), aphasia/dysphasia being the most common in 10 (17%) BM children. No independent risk factors were identified for long-term neurological sequelae in univariate analysis. Conclusion: The risk for a fatal course of BM is still remarkable. Neurological sequelae persisted in a substantial proportion of BM survivors in long-term follow-up, aphasia/dysphasia being the most common. Hearing loss (deafness) occurred in 3%. However, no specific risk factors predicting the long-term sequelae were found. What is Known: • Streptococcus pneumonia and Neisseria meningitidis were the most common pathogens causing bacterial meningitis. • Risk for fatal course of bacterial meningitis (BM) remains remarkable despite advances in modern medicine. What is New: • In long-term follow-up, 1/3 of BM children suffered from neurological sequelae in the 2010s, aphasia and dysphasia being the most common sequelae. • Hearing loss was diagnosed in only two (3%) children, whom of both were deaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture preceding topical and/or systemic antimicrobial treatment lowered the chance of finding a pathogen ( I p i <0.001); preceding antimicrobial treatment increased the no-growth and normal-flora-only findings from 14 (23/161) to 32% (90/285). AOE associated AE and treatment strategies We have not found previous studies investigating the causative pathogens in AE. Discussion In line with prior AOE studies, I P. aeruginosa i and I S. aureus i were the most common AOE causing pathogens [[2]-[5]]. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: To assess the susceptibility of salivary stones to bacterial biofilm formation, which may be involved in the development of salivary gland infection, and to investigate a relation between microbiological aspects and patient characteristics. Methods: This prospective study comprises of 54 patients with sialolithiasis attended in Helsinki University Hospital during 2014–2016. A total of 55 salivary stones were removed, and studied for biofilm formation using fluorescence microscopy and sonication. The isolated organisms were quantified and identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results: Biofilm formation was confirmed on the surface of 39 (70.9%) stones. A total of 96 microorganisms were isolated from 45 salivary stones (81.8%). Two or more organisms were isolated in 33 (73.3%) cases. The main isolates were Streptococcus mitis/oralis (n = 27; 28.1%), followed by Streptococcus anginosus (n = 10; 9.6%), Rothia spp. (n = 8; 8.3%), Streptococcus constellatus (n = 7; 7.3%), and Streptococcus gordonii (n = 6; 6.2%). In all patients showing pre-operative (12 cases) or peri-operative (three cases) drainage of pus, the presence of biofilm was detected in microscopy (p = 0.004). Four patients showed post-operative infection, and in three of them (75.0%), the presence of biofilm was detected. Increased number of pus drainage was found among patients with reflux symptoms or use of proton-pump inhibitors. Conclusions: Salivary stones are susceptible to bacterial biofilm formation, which could be related with the development and severity of the inflammation and the refractory nature of the disease. Sonication of salivary gland stones could be a useful method for finding the etiology of the chronic infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute otitis media is a common infection in children. Most acute otitis media episodes can be treated at an outpatient setting with antimicrobials, or only expectant observation. Hospital treatment with parenteral medication, and myringotomy or tympanostomy, may be needed to treat those with severe, prolonged symptoms, or with complications. The most common intratemporal complication of acute otitis media is acute mastoiditis. If a child with acute mastoiditis does not respond to this treatment, or if complications develop, further examinations and other surgical procedures, including mastoidectomy, are considered. Since the treatment of complicated acute otitis media and complicated acute mastoiditis differs, it is important to differentiate these two conditions. This article focuses on the differential diagnostics of acute otitis media and acute mastoiditis in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]