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Abstract Sore throat represents one of the main causes of antibiotic overprescription in children. Its management is still a matter of debate, with countries considering streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis a benign and self-limiting condition and others advocating for its antibiotic treatment to prevent suppurative complications and acute rheumatic fever. Italian paediatricians frequently prescribe antibiotics on a clinical basis regardless of microbiological results. Moreover, broad-spectrum antibiotics are inappropriately prescribed for this condition. In this regard, an intersociety consensus conference was issued to promote the judicious use of antibiotic therapy in paediatric outpatient settings. A systematic review of the literature was performed, and updated recommendations were developed according to the GRADE methodology. Antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin (50 mg/kg/day) for 10 days is recommended in all children with proven streptococcal pharyngitis. Benzathine-penicillin could be prescribed in children with impaired intestinal absorption or inability to tolerate enteral intake and in those at high risk of suppurative complications with low compliance to oral therapy. In children with suspected amoxicillin allergy, third-generation cefalosporins for five days are recommended in low-risk patients, and macrolides are recommended in high-risk ones. Candidates for tonsillectomy due to recurrent pharyngitis could be treated with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, clindamycin, or combined therapy with amoxicillin plus rifampicin for four days, in an attempt to avoid surgery.

Abstract Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe condition in immunocompromised children, but the optimal management is still under debate. In order to better clarify this issue, a literature search was performed through MEDLINE/PubMed database to describe current risk factors and diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic tools for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in the paediatric age. Observational studies and clinical trials regarding diagnosis, treatment and prophylaxis were considered, and results were summarised. Five clinical trials and 25 observational studies (4453 patients) were included. Haematological malignancies, previous organ transplant and other primary or acquired immunodeficiency were identified as risk factors for IPA in children. Current diagnostic criteria distinguish between "proven", "probable" and "possible" disease. Consecutive galactomannan assays have good sensitivity and specificity, especially when performed on broncho-alveolar lavage. At the same time, β-D-glucan should not be used since cut-off in children is unclear. PCR assays cannot currently be recommended for routine use. Voriconazole is the recommended first-line agent for IPA in children older than 2 years of age. Liposomal amphotericin B is preferred in younger patients or cases of intolerance to voriconazole. Its plasma concentrations should be monitored throughout the treatment. The optimal duration of therapy has yet to be determined. Posaconazole is the preferred prophylactic agent in children older than 13 years old, whereas oral voriconazole or itraconazole are the drugs of choice for those between 2–12 years. Further good-quality studies are warranted to improve clinical practice.

BackgroundPeople with cystic fibrosis (CF) are considered a clinically fragile population with an intrinsic higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, though a certain variability in terms of outcomes and hospitalization has been noticed.AimTo highlight the main risk factors for severe COVID-19 in patients with CF.MethodsA systematic review of the current literature was conducted through PubMed and EMBASE databases. English-written articles reporting clinical data on CF subjects with SARS-CoV2 infection were included and analyzed. Selected reports were evaluated for adherence to STROBE recommendations.ResultsAfter the selection phase, 9 observational studies were included, 5 of which reported data from CF Registry Global Harmonization Group. The hospitalization rate ranged from 18.2 to 58.1%. The main risk factors for severe outcome were as follows: FEV1 < 70%p, CF-related diabetes, age > 40 years, pancreatic insufficiency, underweight, previous transplant, azithromycin use. Use of dornase alfa was associated with decreased risk for severe disease, while there was insufficient evidence to establish the role of inhaled steroids or CFTR modulators. No solid data regarding specific SARS-CoV-2 therapies in patients with CF emerged.ConclusionMost people with CF experience a mild course of SARS-CoV-2 infection, nevertheless subgroups with higher risk of severe outcome emerged. Maintenance therapies for CF overall did not show a clear preventive effect against severe outcomes, although dornase alfa seems to give some protection. Due to the current lack of data on specific COVID-19 therapies and immunization in patients with CF, further studies are needed to establish their impact in this population.