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International audience; A wide spectrum of pathological conditions may result from the interaction of Aspergillus fumigatus and the immune system of its human host. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is one of the most severe A.fumigatus-related diseases due to possible evolution toward pleuropulmonary fibrosis and respiratory failure. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis occurs almost exclusively in cystic fibrosis or asthmatic patients. An estimated 8%-10% of patients with cystic fibrosis experience this condition. The diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis relies on criteria first established in 1977. Progress in the understanding of host-pathogen interactions in A.fumigatus and patients with cystic fibrosis and the ongoing validation of novel laboratory tools concur to update and improve the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Pediatric eosinophilic pneumonias (EPs) are characterized by a significant infiltration of the alveolar spaces and lung interstitium by eosinophils, with conservation of the lung structure. In developed countries, EPs constitute exceptional entities in pediatric care. Clinical symptoms may be transient (Loffler syndrome), acute ( 1 month). Diagnosis relies on demonstration of alveolar eosinophilia on bronchoalveolar lavage, whether or not associated with blood eosinophilia. EPs are a heterogeneous group of disorders divided into: (i) secondary forms (seen mainly in parasitic infections, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and drug reactions); and (ii) primary forms (eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, and idiopathic acute eosinophilic pneumonia). Despite their rarity, the etiological approach to EP must be well-defined as some causes can be rapidly life-threatening without initiation of the proper treatment. This approach (i) eliminates secondary forms, with comprehensive history taking and minimal biological assessment, (ii) is oriented in primary forms by the acute or chronic setting, and the existence of extrapulmonary symptoms. Treatment of primary forms has traditionally relied on corticosteroids, usually with a dramatic response. Specific treatments or the adjunction of corticosteroid-sparing treatment or immunosuppressors are currently being evaluated in order to improve the prognosis and the side effects associated with corticosteroid treatment in a pediatric setting.

We report the case of a 5-year-old girl with persistent chest X-ray abnormalities following an episode of pneumonia who has a complex congenital pulmonary malformation comprising of a congenital pulmonary airway malformation, an intralobar sequestration and two bronchogenic cysts, all present within the same lobe. The observation suggests a common embryological origin of these malformations. Pediatr. Pulmonol. 2010; 45:832–835. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Summary. Background: The annual prevalence of Aspergillus colonization (AC) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) has recently increased in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The reasons remain unclear although a number of factors have been suggested to be involved. This study was set up to investigate the association between potential predisposing factors, including new therapies recommended in CF, and the occurrence of AC or ABPA in children with CF. Methods: The medical records of 85 children monitored regularly in the Pediatric Reference Centre for Cystic Fibrosis Care (RCCFC) of the University Hospital of Marseille (France) were analyzed from the first time they attended the RCCFC until either the occurrence of an end event, or their last visit to the RCCFC. Risk factors for AC or ABPA were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Eight children developed ABPA and 18 had AC. In univariate analysis, ABPA was significantly associated with RhDNase therapy, sensitization to Alternaria and Candida, and a low body mass index (BMI). Multivariate analysis identified an independent association between low BMI and ABPA (OR ¼ 10.6, 95% CI [2.2–51.8], P ¼ 0.004), and for the first time, between long-term azithromycin therapy and AC (OR ¼ 6.4, 95% CI [2.1– 19.5], P ¼ 0.001). This latter association might be explained by the inhibitory effect of azithromycin on both the recruitment and the activation of neutrophils, which represent the first-line defenses against Aspergillus. Conclusions: The risk factors associated with AC and ABPA in children with CF identified in this comprehensive exploratory study now need to be confirmed in further prospective

Background and objective: This study evaluated the accuracy of prenatal MRI and postnatal CT imaging in the identification of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration by comparison with histological analysis. Methods: Over a 3-year period, 15 patients with lung malformations diagnosed prenatally by ultrasound were referred for prenatal MRI, and all were investigated postnatally by chest CT. All asymptomatic newborns with unresolved lesions underwent elective surgery by thoracoscopy. All surgical specimens were analysed histologically. Results: Among the 15 patients with an abnormality diagnosed by ultrasound, prenatal MRI findings differed from the final histological diagnosis with respect to extent (n = 3), type of lesion (n = 1) and aberrant vessel identification (n = 4). Postnatal chest CT failed to visualize the aberrant vessel in one patient. Complete regression of the lesion was noted in two patients with bronchopulmonary sequestration, and in one patient with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and was confirmed by CT. Elective thoracoscopic lobectomy of the affected lobe was performed for 12 patients. Two conversions to thoracotomy were required. All operated patients had an uneventful hospital course. Conclusions: Prenatal MRI is less accurate than postnatal CT scan, which remains the most reliable diagnostic modality to specify the location and extent and kind of lesions.

Determining which drug is suitable for, and which patient can benefit from, a once-daily dose of prophylactic treatment is important for practitioners who want to improve therapeutic compliance in children with asthma. According to the literature, once-daily delivery of cromolyn sodium, nedocromil or beclomethasone dipropionate must be avoided. On the other hand, switching from a twice-daily to a once-daily regimen is efficient and safe only in children with well-controlled asthma using nebulized or dry-powder budesonide, dry-powder fluticasone propionate, flunisolide, or sustained-release theophylline. Such information is not available for long-acting β2-agonists, except for oral bambuterol. Initiating a once-daily treatment in previously untreated children can only be based on low doses of inhaled budesonide or on an oral drug, montelukast. Further studies in children with severe asthma or treated with metered-dose inhalers and spacer devices are required before recommending a once-daily drug delivery in such situations.

Background: The objective was to investigate the local side-effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in daily life in asthmatic children, particularly the younger ones, by an observational prospective cross-sectional cohort study. Methods: Asthmatic children (n=639, 75.9±48.9 months, 61.3% boys), treated with beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) (721.0±287.3 µg per day) or budesonide (BUD) (835.5±684.9 µg per day) for at least 1 month, were recruited at the time of a scheduled visit. Local side-effects were researched by questionnaire (cough during inhalation, hoarseness, dysphonia, and thirsty feeling) and clinical examination (perioral dermatitis, oral candidiasis, and tongue hypertrophy). Results: Exactly 63.3% of the children aged under 6 years and 59.5% of the older ones reported one local side-effect. Cough (39.7%) was dependent on young age, use of BDP, and mainly use of spacer device, with an OR of 4.7 (95% CI: 2.7–8.2). Thirsty feeling (21.9%) and hoarseness (14.1%) occurred in children using ICS and long-acting β2-agonists. Dysphonia (11.1%) was favored by high doses of BDP and BUD, and by inhalation from spacer devices or nebulizers. No factor favored oral candidiasis (10.7%). Perioral dermatitis (2.9%) and tongue hypertrophy (0.1%) were associated with nebulization. Conclusions: Local side-effects of ICS are common in asthmatic children of all_ ages, and the device used constitutes the most influential factor.

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration (ILPS) and bronchogenic cyst are rare congenital diseases. We present the first case of the association between an ILPS located in the upper lobe and a bronchogenic cyst. This association has been discovered antenatally in a girl. The cystic lesion has been shown by a fetal MRI and confirmed by a CT scan at 3 weeks of life. She underwent a left upper lobectomy by thoracoscopy at the age of 5 months. Postoperative course was uneventfull. This case confirms the congenital origin of pulmonary sequestration and shows the interest of an early surgery.

Summary Toxocara canis, one of the most frequent parasites worldwide, rarely triggers respiratory symptoms. We report the case of a 5-year-old girl hospitalized for a unilateral eosinophilic pleural effusion due to Toxocara canis. Besides the fact that she was living in a squat, no other medical condition was reported. There was no other site of infection caused by the parasite and she was successfully treated with albendazole. This case report is obviously unique as very few cases of pleural effusion due to Toxocara canis are reported in literature, all in adult patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:E35–E36. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.