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Background: Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor has been approved in Europe for people with cystic fibrosis with at least one F508del CFTR variant. Additionally, it is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people with cystic fibrosis with at least one of 177 rare variants. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical response to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor for people with cystic fibrosis without a F508del CFTR variant in France and to determine CFTR variant responsiveness to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor based on the observed clinical response., Methods: The French compassionate programme expanded access to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor to people with cystic fibrosis, aged 6 years and older, without a F508del variant, excluding those with two variants previously characterised as non-responsive. Participants at France's 47 cystic fibrosis centres were given a 4-6 week trial of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor and response was determined by a centralised committee based on evolution of clinical data, lung function, and sweat chloride concentration. Responsiveness of individual CFTR variants was derived from observed clinical responses., Findings: The first compassionnate programme was launched on May 19, 2022; by March 8, 2024, 516 people with cystic fibrosis had been identified for inclusion in this real-word study: 37 were not included due to the presence of two variants previously characterised as non-responsive to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor, and 479 (229 females [48%] and 250 males [52%]) received elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor for 4-6 weeks. Among 443 participants who received no CFTR modulator before elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor, 83 had at least one FDA-approved variant, of whom 81 (98%) were responders and continued elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor; in responders, mean absolute change in sweat chloride was -44·5 mmol/L (95% CI -39·1 to -49·8) and percentage of predicted FEV 1 (ppFEV 1 ) was 11·1 percentage points (95% CI 8·4 to 13·7; both comparisons p<0·0001). Among 360 participants with no FDA-approved variant and no previous CFTR modulator, 177 (49%) were responders; in responders, mean absolute change in sweat chloride was -20·5 mmol/L (-17·2 to -23·8) and ppFEV 1 was 13·2 percentage points (11·4 to 15·0; both comparisons p<0·0001). Among 36 participants who were receiving ivacaftor before elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor, 32 (89%) continued elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor. Of 251 individual CFTR variants, 64 (28 FDA-approved) were classified as responsive or possibly responsive to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor, and 123 (two FDA-approved) as non-responsive or possibly non-responsive to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor., Interpretation: In France, over half of the population with cystic fibrosis without a F508del variant responded to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor, with most responders having no FDA-approved variant. The treatment period was relatively short and further research is warranted to describe the long-term safety and effectiveness of elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor in this population., Funding: Association Vaincre la Mucoviscidose, Société Française de la Mucoviscidose, and Filière Maladies Rares MUCO-CFTR., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests P-RB declares consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Chiesi, GSK, Insmed, MSD, Sanofi, Vertex, Viatris, and Zambon, outside of the submitted work. IS-G declares grants and consulting fees from Vertex, outside of the submitted work. ID declares support for attending meetings from Mylan and Zambon. CA declares consulting fees from Vertex and Viatris and support for attending meetings from SOS Oxygène, Viatris, and Zambon. DG declares support for attending meetings from Zambon. MM-E declares fees for report testimony from Vertex. MM declares consulting fees from Vertex. BD declares fees for participation on a data safety and monitoring board from Vertex. CR reports grants from Vaincre la Mucoviscidose and unpaid participation on the leadership of the French newborn screening programme and the French Rare Diseases Network. CM declares consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, and GSK, and support for attending meetings from Boehringer Ingelheim and Chiesi. All other authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.)

Rationale: Limited information is available on the clinical status of people with Cystic Fibrosis (pwCF) carrying 2 nonsense mutations (PTC/PTC). The main objective of this study was to compare disease severity between pwCF PTC/PTC, compound heterozygous for F508del and PTC (F508del/PTC) and homozygous for F508del (F508del+/+)., Methods: Based on the European CF Society Patient Registry clinical data of pwCF living in high and middle income European and neighboring countries, PTC/PTC (n = 657) were compared with F508del+/+ (n = 21,317) and F508del/PTC(n = 4254).CFTR mRNA and protein activity levels were assessed in primary human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells sampled from 22 PTC/PTC pwCF., Main Results: As compared to F508del+/+ pwCF; both PTC/PTC and F508del/PTC pwCF exhibited a significantly faster rate of decline in Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ) from 7 years (-1.33 for F508del +/+, -1.59 for F508del/PTC; -1.65 for PTC/PTC, p < 0.001) until respectively 30 years (-1.05 for F508del +/+, -1.23 for PTC/PTC, p = 0.048) and 27 years (-1.12 for F508del +/+, -1.26 for F508del/PTC, p = 0.034). This resulted in lower FEV 1 values in adulthood. Mortality of pediatric pwCF with one or two PTC alleles was significantly higher than their F508del homozygous pairs. Infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more frequent in PTC/PTC versus F508del+/+ and F508del/PTC pwCF. CFTR activity in PTC/PTC pwCF's HNE cells ranged between 0% to 3% of the wild-type level., Conclusions: Nonsense mutations decrease the survival and accelerate the course of respiratory disease in children and adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest Iwona M. Pranke, Jessica Varilh, Aurélie Hatton, Caroline Faucon Emmanuelle Girodon, Elise Dreano, Benoit Chevalier, Sabrina Karry(,) Philippe Reix, Isabelle Durieu, Laure Bidou, Olivier Namy, Magali Taulan, Alexandre Hinzpeter have no conflict of interest. Isabelle Sermet-Gaudelus has received Vertex Innovation Award from Vertex therapeutics and participated to Scientific Advisory Boards (Vertex therapeutics, Eloxx Therapeutics).

Background: We assessed the diagnostic performances of homeostasis model assessment indices (HOMA) of β-cell function (HOMA-%β) and of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) screening., Methods: Data were collected from a prospective cohort of 228 patients with CF (117 adults and 111 children). Fasting insulin and glucose levels were measured to calculate HOMA-%β and HOMA-IR. HOMA-%β <100 indicated insulin secretion deficiency and HOMA-IR >1 insulin resistance. Both were used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). Two-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (2h-OGTT) defined CFRD. Analyses were conducted separately for children and adults. Performances of HOMA-%β and HOMA-IR were calculated at inclusion, for each year of follow-up and for pooled data over the follow-up period., Results: Sensitivity, specificity, NPV and PPV were respectively: 88%, 45%, 98% and 11% for HOMA-%β and 42%, 48%, 91% and 6% for HOMA-IR in the pooled data of children; and 83%, 18%, 90% and 10% for HOMA-%β, and 39%, 80%, 92% and 18% for HOMA-IR in the pooled data of adults. Combining HOMA-%β and HOMA-IR did not improve performances., Conclusion: Within both age groups, HOMA-%β <100 provided good sensitivity and NPV. HOMA-IR >1 had low sensitivity. Calculation of the HOMA-%β could be an interesting first-line screening approach to exclude CFRD and thus avoid unnecessary OGTT in patients for whom value is ≥100. However, HOMA-%β<100 does not support the diagnosis of CFRD and should be complemented by OGTT., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None, (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Lung clearance index (LCI) is a biomarker of ventilation inhomogeneity. Data are scarce on its usefulness in daily practice for monitoring the effects of treatments in older children and adults with CF. In this French observational study of lumacaftor-ivacaftor, 63 of 845 patients (7.5%) had available LCI performed at baseline and at six (M6; n=34) or 12 months (M12; n=46) after lumacaftor-ivacaftor initiation. At inclusion, median [IQR] age was 16 years [13-17], ppFEV 1 was 72.8 [59.6-80.7], and LCI was 12.3 [10.3-15.0]. At both M6 and M12, no statistically significant LCI increases of 0.13 units or 1.34% (95% CI: -4.85-7.53) and 0.6 units or 6.66% (95% CI: -0.03-13.5) were observed. Discordant results between LCI and ppFEV 1 were observed in one-third of the patients. In daily practice, LCI monitoring in adolescents and young adults with moderate lung disease gives results that are more heterogenous than those reported in children with milder disease., (Copyright © 2021 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Phase 3 trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of lumacaftor-ivacaftor (LUMA-IVA) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) homozygous for the Phe508del CFTR mutation and percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppFEV 1 ) between 40 and 90. Marketing authorizations have been granted for patients at all levels of ppFEV 1 ., Methods: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of LUMA-IVA over the first year of treatment in patients with ppFEV 1 <40 or ppFEV 1 ≥90 in comparison with those with ppFEV 1 [40-90[. Analysis of data collected during a real world study, which included all patients aged ≥12 years who started LUMA-IVA in 2016 across all 47 French CF centers., Results: 827 patients were classified into 3 subgroups according to ppFEV 1 at treatment initiation (ppFEV 1 <40, n = 121; ppFEV 1 [40-90[, n = 609; ppFEV 1 ≥90, n = 97). Treatment discontinuation rate was higher in ppFEV 1 <40 patients (28.9%) than in those with ppFEV 1 [40-90[(16.4%) or ppFEV 1 ≥90 (17.5%). In patients with uninterrupted treatment, significant increase in ppFEV 1 occurred in the ppFEV 1 [40-90[subgroup (+2.9%, P<0.001), and in those ppFEV 1 <40 (+0.5%, P = 0.03) but not in those with ppFEV 1 ≥90 (P = 0.46). Compared with the year prior to initiation, the number of days of intravenous antibiotics were reduced in all subgroups, although 72% of patients with ppFEV 1 <40 still experienced at least one exacerbation/year under LUMA-IVA. Comparable increase in body mass index was seen in the three subgroups., Conclusion: Phe508del homozygous CF patients benefit from LUMA-IVA at all levels of baseline lung function , but the characteristics and magnitude of the response vary depending on ppFEV 1 at baseline., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest All authors declare no conflicts of interest related to the work submitted for publication., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Patients' and families' expectation that a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF) will be found is high. In other debilitating conditions, high expectation has been shown to drive a strong placebo response (PR). Therefore, our goal was to evaluate PR on objective continuous outcomes (FEV 1 , BMI) and the CF Questionnaire Revised-Respiratory Domain (CFQR-RD) monitored during randomised clinical trials (RCTs) for CF., Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis after a systematic review of the literature carried out to identify RCTs with FEV 1 , CFQR-RD and BMI as outcome measures. The standardised mean difference (SMD) was calculated to estimate the PR. A meta-regression analysis was conducted to assess other contributing factors on PR such as study design, trial duration, patient age and disease severity., Results: Out of 289 RCTs found in the search, we identified 61 articles (published from 1987 to 2017) with respectively 59, 17 and 9 reporting FEV 1 , CFQR-RD and BMI at the start and at the end of the RCTs. No significant PR was found on FEV 1 or CFQR-RD. However, a small but significant PR was found on BMI SMD, 0.09 (95% CI (0.01; 0.17); p = 0.03)., Conclusion: The PR seems higher when measuring BMI. However, it is not clear whether this improvement can be explained by a PR alone., (Copyright © 2019 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prevalence of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes is increasing. This condition is potentially responsible for respiratory decline., Methods: At inclusion, then yearly (over three years), 111 children and 117 adults with cystic fibrosis had oral glucose tolerance and insulin tests at one (G1) and 2h (G2). KmL analysis identified homogeneous G1 and G2 glucose trajectories. A linear mixed model quantified the relationships between trajectories and FEV1 changes., Results: In children, there were three G1 and four G2 trajectories and FEV1 decrease was not significantly different between G1 or G2 trajectories. In adults, two G1 and four G2 trajectories were identified and FEV1 change was estimated at -0.85/year (95% CI: [-1.54; -0.17], p=0.01) whatever the G1 trajectory and found significantly faster in the high and increasing G2 trajectory (-2.1/year, [-3.9; -0.2], p=0.03)., Conclusions: In case of persistent G2 abnormality, physicians should be alert for clinical deterioration and intensify patient surveillance., (Copyright © 2017 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The combination of lumacaftor and ivacaftor (LUM/IVA) has been reported to induce a mean acute absolute drop of -4.1% predicted forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV 1 ) after a unique administration in healthy subjects. The aim of the present study was to assess acute FEV 1 changes after the first dose of LUM/IVA in CF patients. A total of 32 pediatric patients were included. Respiratory manifestations occurred in only 3 patients (9.4%), but FEV 1 consistently decreased (-10.4±4.6%, range: -1.5; -21.8%). FEV 1 only partially resumed after salbutamol inhalation. Patients with previously known significant reversible airway obstruction and low FEV 1 were more at risk of FEV 1 decrease., (Copyright © 2017 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: We evaluated the prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)-positive cultures among our cystic fibrosis (CF) center patients, reviewed risk factors for NTM positivity, and determined its impact on lung function evolution., Methods: From 2009 to 2014, CF adults and children attending the CF center of Lyon (France) and having at least one positive NTM isolate were included. Each case was matched by age and gender with two CF patients with no NTM isolate (controls)., Results: 48 CF patients with NTM-positive isolates were matched to 96 controls. The age group for whom incident NTM was higher was young adolescents aged 13 to 17. A significant association for NTM positivity was found with Staphylococcusaureus in multivariate analysis and with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, corticosteroid and itraconazole in univariate analysis. Mean annual FEV1 decline was faster for NTM-positive patients compared to controls., Conclusion: These data highlight the high incidence of NTM-positive cultures among young adolescents with CF., (Copyright © 2017 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces spp., an anaerobic bacteria from the oropharynx, digestive, and female genital tracts. Initial clinical presentation often mimics malignancy, which can lead to a delay in diagnosis. Cervico-facial, genitourinary, digestive, and respiratory features are the most frequent. Few cases are reported in children and risk factors are not well known in this population. We report on the case of an 8-year-old boy with disseminated actinomycosis with cervico-facial, pulmonary, and bone involvement caused by Actinomyces israelii. The infiltrative appearance initially suggested malignancy and the patient was started on chemotherapy for presumed histiocytosis. Evaluation of subsequent tissue samples demonstrated the presence of filamentous structures consistent with fungal or filamentous bacterial infection. Prolonged culture yielded the correct diagnosis. The patient had a severe allergic reaction to piperacillin/tazobactam and was therefore transitioned to clindamycin to complete a 9-month course. This treatment, which has not been reported in children, led to a favorable clinical, biological, and radiological response, with a good clinical tolerance., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Chest tomography (CT) using the controlled ventilation technique (CTCV) is a sensitive method to detect features of lung cystic fibrosis (CF) disease in infants with CF. However, this technique needs sedation and is not easily applied for the clinician who may need, in the follow-up, to evaluate more precisely lung disease in infants with CF. Thus, our study aims to evaluate if CT assessment of lung disease, without the need of sedation, during quiet breathing, using a semi-quantitative scoring system, is reproducible and may discriminate infants with CF from control infants at an early stage of the lung disease. 39 infants with CF underwent a first CT at 10.3 [9.4, 11.4] weeks of age. Among them, 33 underwent a second CT at 56.1 [53.1, 59.6] weeks of age. CF scoring images of the different scanner variables, i.e. bronchial wall thickening, bronchiectasis, mucus plugging and air trapping were compared to CT scoring obtained in 2 different groups of control infants of similar age without lung disease. Among all the constituents of the scoring, air trapping is the only parameter discriminating infants with CF from control infants at both ages in our study (p≤0.01). Moreover, air trapping explains 90% of the total score variability with r 2 =0.89 with a good concordance after re-scoring in blind, 6months apart, by the same operator for both infant populations: ICC=0.98 [0.97, 0.99]. In this study, we propose that CT during quiet breathing could be a useful clinical tool to evaluate the early presence of gas trapping in infants with CF., (Copyright © 2016 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Recent data has shown that lung inflammation and infection subvene very early in very young infants with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). This leads to impaired lung function and structural damage, even in asymptomatic children. In the CF-pig model constitutional airway narrowing is present at birth, and is associated with defective mucus migration, and impaired bacterial clearance. At the age of 3 months, 25% of screened CF infants show decreased lung function. Air trapping is also present in 68% and bronchiectasis in 28% of patients. At the same age, the presence of neutrophil elastase in the bronchoalveolar lavage is an ominous sign since it triples the risk of bronchiectasis at the age of 3 years. Since only very few drug therapies have been validated in the preschool children, adapted clinical trials are warranted in this age group. Early interventions may have a huge impact on the natural history of CF, on the condition of not interfering with normal lung growth., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Since the discovery of chloride secretion by the Cystic Fibrosis Transport regulator CFTR in 1983, and CFTR gene in 1989, knowledge about CFTR synthesis, maturation, intracellular transfer and function has dramatically expanded. These discoveries have led to the distribution of CF mutations into 6 classes with different pathophysiological mechanisms. In this article we will explore the state of art on CFTR synthesis and its chloride secretion function. We will then explore the consequences of the 6 classes of mutations on CFTR protein function and we will describe the new therapeutic developments aiming at correcting these defects., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

We report three cases of pulmonary disease suggesting fibrosis in two familial and one sporadic case. Pulmonary symptoms were associated with various clinical features of systemic inflammation and vasculitis involving the skin, and appeared at different ages. A strong interferon signature was found in all three cases. Disease was not responsive to corticosteroids, and lung transplantation was considered for all three subjects at an early age. One of them underwent double-lung transplantation, but she immediately experienced a primary graft dysfunction and died soon after. Recognized causes of familial interstitial lung disease were all excluded. All three subjects had a mutation in the previously described autoinflammatory disease called SAVI (stimulator of interferon genes [STING]-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy). These cases emphasize the need to consider this possibility in children and young adults with lung fibrosis after common causes have been ruled out., (Copyright © 2016 American College of Chest Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

With the increasing life expectancy of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), prevalence of late complications such as CF-related bone disease (CFBD) has increased. It was initially described in 24% of the adult population with CF and has also been reported in the pediatric population. CFBD is multifactorial and progresses in different steps. Both decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption (in different amounts) are observed. CFBD is likely primitive (directly related to the CFTR defect itself), but is also worsened by acquired secondary factors such as lung infections, chronic inflammation, denutrition, vitamin deficiency, and decreased physical activity. CFBD may be clinically apparent (i.e., mainly vertebral and costal fractures), or clinically asymptomatic (therefore corresponding to abnormalities in bone density and architecture). CFBD management mainly aims to prevent the occurrence of fractures. Prevention and regular monitoring of bone disease as early as 8 years of age is of the utmost importance, as is the control of possible secondary deleterious CFBD factors. New radiological tools, such as high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography, allow an accurate evaluation of cortical and trabecular bone micro-architecture in addition to compartmental density; as such, they will likely improve the assessment of the bone fracture threat in CF patients in the near future., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Unlabelled: The European Cystic Fibrosis Society Clinical Trial Network (ECFS-CTN) has established a Standardization Committee to undertake a rigorous evaluation of promising outcome measures with regard to use in multicentre clinical trials in cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this article is to present a review of literature on clinimetric properties of the infant raised-volume rapid thoracic compression (RVRTC) technique in the context of CF, to summarise the consensus amongst the group on feasibility and answer key questions regarding the promotion of this technique to surrogate endpoint status., Methods: A literature search (from 1985 onwards) identified 20 papers that met inclusion criteria of RVRTC use in infants with CF. Data were extracted and tabulated regarding repeatability, validity, correlation with other outcome measures, responsiveness and reference values. A working group discussed the tables and answered 4 key questions., Results: Overall, RVRTC in particular forced expiratory volume in 0.5s, showed good clinimetric properties despite presence of individual variability. Few studies showed a relationship between RVRTC and inflammation and infection, and to date, data remains limited regarding the responsiveness of RVRTC after an intervention. Concerns were raised regarding feasibility in multi-centre studies and availability of reference values., Conclusion: The ECFS-CTN Working Group considers that RVRTC cannot be used as a primary outcome in clinical trials in infants with CF before universal standardization of this measurement is achieved and implementation of inter-institutional networking is in place. We advise its use currently in phase I/II trials and as a secondary endpoint in phase III studies. We emphasise the need for (1) more short-term variability and longitudinal 'natural history' studies, and (2) robust reference values for commercially available devices., (Copyright © 2015 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Species of the Scedosporium apiospermum complex (S. a complex) are emerging fungi responsible for chronic airway colonization in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Recent studies performed on Aspergillus fumigatus suggest that the colonization of the airways by filamentous fungi may contribute to the progressive deterioration of lung function., Methods: We studied S. a complex seroprevalence, as a marker of close contact between patient and the fungi, in a large monocentric cohort of CF patients attended in a reference centre in Lyon, France., Results: Serum samples from 373 CF patients were analysed. Antibodies against S. a complex were detected in 35 patients (9.4%). In multivariate analysis, S. a complex seropositivity was only associated with seropositivity to A. fumigatus., Conclusions: This study does not suggest an association between sensitization against S. a complex and poorer lung function in CF. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the impact of both seropositivity and S. a complex colonization on the course of CF., (Copyright © 2014 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The ECFS-CTN Standardisation Committee has undertaken this review of lung clearance index as part of the group's work on evaluation of clinical endpoints with regard to their use in multicentre clinical trials in CF. The aims were 1) to review the literature on reliability, validity and responsiveness of LCI in patients with CF, 2) to gain consensus of the group on feasibility of LCI and 3) to gain consensus on answers to key questions regarding the promotion of LCI to surrogate endpoint status. It was concluded that LCI has an attractive feasibility and clinimetric properties profile and is particularly indicated for multicentre trials in young children with CF and patients with early or mild CF lung disease. This is the first article to collate the literature in this manner and support the use of LCI in clinical trials in CF., (© 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Cystic Fibrosis Society. All rights reserved.)

Ondine syndrome is the central congenital hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) caused by the mutation of the PHOX2B gene. In late onset cases, the symptomatology often appears after an acute event (infection, general anesthesia, drug intake), increasing hypoventilation. We report a case of late onset Ondine curse in a 9-year-old girl. The diagnosis was made based on a hypercapnic coma complicating a respiratory infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae and was confirmed by genetic testing. In the patient's history we found symptoms that had not been noted (e.g., enuresis, morning headache, adynamia), attesting to chronic hypoventilation. Through this observation, we review the literature on CCHS, notably late onset cases, which are rare and insidious, emphasizing the pre-existing hypoventilation symptoms in this child. This case underlines the need for all practitioners not to trivialize these symptoms so as to decrease the current delay in diagnosis for late onset CCHS and to introduce optimal care as soon as possible., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Question: : Can a session of exercise with incorporated expiratory manoeuvres substitute for a session of breathing techniques for airway clearance in children with cystic fibrosis? Are children with cystic fibrosis as co-operative and satisfied with the exercise regimen as with the breathing techniques?., Design: Randomised, cross-over trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis., Participants: 34 children with cystic fibrosis in a stable clinical state., Interventions: Participants underwent two 20-min airway clearance interventions on two scheduled clinic days: one involving three bouts of various whole-body exercise modalities each followed by independent expiratory manoeuvres, and the other involving breathing control, thoracic expansions with manual expiratory compressions, and the forced expiratory technique., Outcome Measures: Wet weight of expectorated sputum, change in lung function, co-operation with treatment, perceived treatment quality, and satisfaction with treatment were all assessed after each intervention., Results: The wet weight of sputum after exercise was 0.6g higher after the exercise intervention, which was not statistically or clinically significant (95% CI -0.2 to 1.4). However, lung function and participant satisfaction with the treatment were both significantly better after the exercise intervention. Co-operation with treatment and perceived treatment quality were equally high for each intervention., Conclusion: A session of various whole-body exercises interspersed with independent expiratory manoeuvres could be an acceptable substitute for a session of breathing control, thoracic expansions with manual expiratory compressions, and the forced expiratory technique in children with mild cystic fibrosis lung disease., (Copyright © 2012 Australian Physiotherapy Association. Published by .. All rights reserved.)

Necrotizing Staphylococcus aureus Panton-Valentine leukocidin (SA-PLV+) accounts for less than 1% of community-acquired lung diseases in children and young adults. Neonatal cases are exceptional. We report the observations of two newborn female twins, who were not breastfed, presenting a necrotizing lung disease due to the same strain of SA-PVL+ despite nasal decolonization measures taken. These two cases are informative and bring to light (1) the possibility of severe SA-PVL+ lung infections in young infants and (2) their strictly intrafamilial mode of transmission for which eradication measures were ineffective., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Glucose metabolism disorders are a new point of interest in cystic fibrosis (CF) management. Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus (CFRD) increases alteration of pulmonary function as well as patients' morbidity and mortality. In France, CF patients are exclusively followed up in reference centers. We conducted a practices survey on screening and diagnosis of glucose metabolism disorders at 4 French CF centers. The objective of this study was to assess adherence to practice guidelines developed in 2002 at these centers., Methods: This study was conducted in 2 sessions: 60 medical records were randomly selected in 2005 and in 2007 for patients aged over 10 years followed up at 4 CF centers. A questionnaire survey was completed for each patient with questions on CFRD screening, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. Our guidelines recommend random blood glucose (RBG) at each standard biological test, annual glycosylated haemoglobin and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 10, 15 and 18 years of age, then every 2 or 3 years., Results: An annual RBG was performed in 82% of patients in 2005 and 91.5% in 2007. HbA1c screening was performed annually for 77% of patients in the 1st session and for 90% of patients for the 2nd session (p<0.10). Adherence to OGTT guidelines was better for adults than children: 96% had an OGTT during the 3 years of the first session and 79% during the second session, while fewer than 50% of children had their OGTT at 15 and 18 years of age. Taking the OGTT at 10 years of age could not be assessed because no patients were 10 years old during the study period. Screening for neurological complications of CFRD was assessed in the majority of diabetic patients, while half or less than half had annual fundus oculi or microalbuminuria dosage., Discussion: There was an improvement in screening for CFRD and glucose metabolism disorders between 2005 and 2007, even though practices could still be improved. This shows that clinical guidelines can be implemented and followed. However, screening and management criteria for glucose metabolism disorders must be consensus-based with higher evidence in order to limit the variability of practices and prevent CFRD-related complications.

Community-acquired pneumonia is complicated by purulent pleural effusion in approximately 28% of affected children. Its incidence has increased over the last decade. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent causal microorganism, encountered in roughly 80% of cases. We report the case of an immunocompetent 13-year-old teenager wearing orthodontic braces who suffered from pleuropneumonia due to Capnocytophaga sputigena. To date, this Gram-negative bacillus, a commensal of the buccal cavity, had never been reported to be responsible for pleural or lung infection. The clinical presentation is similar to that observed with usual bacteria, while bacterial sensitivity to betalactam antibiotics is excellent.

The 2000 French consensus conference for acute viral bronchiolitis management underlined the fundamental role of chest physiotherapy. According to Chalumeau and al., rib fractures were found out in 1/1000 children hospitalized for bronchiolitis or pneumonia. However, such complication of chest physiotherapy is exceptional. We report 2 cases with third to sixth lateral rib fractures after chest physiotherapy in infants with bronchiolitis. Despite the rarity of these complications, clinicians must keep in mind this etiology while facing rib fractures in infants.

Unlabelled: There is only a few data on sudden unexpected death (SUD) in the pediatric population, as well as the role of sport., Materials and Methods: Between 1980 and 2003, 2220 autopsies were performed at the Lyon's forensic institute for SUD (all ages) as defined by world health organization., Results: Fifty-seven cases of SUD of cardiac origin concerned 6 to 18-year-old children. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy remained the main causes of SUD. Mitral valve prolapse were frequently observed and for the most part of the cases associated with other diseases. Twenty-four were observed during physical activity., Conclusion: Our study confirms the low incidence of SUD and its male predominance in the pediatric population (47 males, 10 females). It seems that physical activity is not the decisive factor for SUD. The authors emphasized the necessity to get a rapid access to cardiac resuscitation devices, as well as the formation of collaborators. Some preventive measures could be done.

Objective: Evaluation of physical capacity in kidney transplanted children for sport practice adequacy., Population and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in 32 children transplanted at least one year before evaluation. We studied auxology, respiratory function testing, cardiovascular parameters at rest and after exercise, and aerobic capacity performed during a triangular effort test., Results: Kidney transplanted children were smaller and had a higher body mass index (IMC). Breathing parameters and cardiac ultrasound examinations were normal in all but one child. After exercise, four children had high systolic blood pressure requiring a treatment adaptation. Lower values of maximal aerobic power (Pmax) and oxygen maximal uptake (VO2max) were noticed, mainly in girls., Conclusion: Kidney transplanted children have a good physical exercise tolerance. Therefore they can be allowed to practise sports at school or in a club after a normal effort test (taking into account the risk of transplant trauma).

The prevalence of asthma and exercise induced asthma increase in elite athletes of national and international level especially in endurance sports. Prolonged hyperventilation of dry or cold air and increased inhalation of pollutants or allergens could be an explanation. The subsequent airway inflammation which seems to regress in subjects quitting competition differs from classical asthma. This could represent a chronic adaptive response to exercise hyperventilation. With a proper treatment, asthma and exercise induced asthma are not a limiting factor for sport results, but the short and long term effects of exercise on intensive training athletes need further study. Moreover, a specific follow-up is needed in all individuals, asthmatic or not, training intensively.

A five-month-old infant presented with a sudden choking cough and mild dyspnea. Bilateral cystic pulmonary images were found on a chest X-ray, leading to exploratory surgery. A pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare malignant embryonic tumor of childhood, was diagnosed on histologic examination. This case illustrates the necessity of performing surgical resection and histologic evaluation of any pulmonary cystic malformations, particularly when bilateral.