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Background: The reference standard for the molecular diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is the use of nasopharyngeal or combined nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NP/OP) swabs. Saliva has been proposed as a minimally invasive specimen whose collection reduces the risks for health care personnel.Objective: To assess the suitability of saliva for COVID-19 diagnosis as a replacement of the reference standard NP/OP swab in the setting of a tertiary care pediatric unit.Study design: A paired study based in the prospective cohort design in patients suspected of having COVID-19.Methods: RT-PCR was used to detect SARS-CoV-2 in paired samples of saliva and NP/OP swab collected from May through August 2020 from 156 pediatric participants, of whom 128 has at least one comorbidity and 91 showed clinical symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, we studied a group of 326 members of the hospital staff, of whom 271 had symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 infection.Results: In the group of pediatric participants the sensitivity of the diagnostic test in saliva was 82.3% (95% CI 56.6–96.2) and the specificity 95.6% (95% CI 90.8–98.4). The prevalence of COVID-19 was 10.9% (17/156). In 6 of the 23 participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in at least one specimen type, the virus was detected in saliva but not in NP/OP swab, while in 3 participants the NP/OP swab was positive and saliva negative. In the group of adults, the sensitivity of the test in saliva was 77.8% (95% CI 67.2–86.3) and prevalence 24.8% (81/326). Discordant results between the two types of specimens showed a significant association with low viral load in the pharynx of adults but not of pediatric participants.Interpretation: In the context of a pediatric tertiary care hospital, the sensibility of the test in saliva is not high enough to replace the use of NP/OP swab for COVID-19 diagnosis. Neither NP/OP swab nor saliva could detect all the participants infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) in neonates are frequent and highly lethal, in particular those caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. We evaluated the beneficial effects of ultraviolet C (UV-C) disinfection and copper adhesive plating on HCAIs in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of a third level paediatric hospital in Mexico City, both in combination of hand-hygiene (HH) and prevention bundles., Methods: All NICU patients were included. There were 4 periods (P): P1: HH monitoring and prevention bundles; P2: P1+UV-C disinfection; P3: P2+Copper adhesive plating on frequent-contact surfaces and P4: Monitoring of P3 actions., Results: 552 neonates were monitored during 15,467 patient days (PD). HCAI rates decreased from 11.03/1000 PD in P1 to 5.35/1000 PD in P4 (p=0.006). HCAIs with bacterial isolates dropped from 5.39/1000 PD in PI to 1.79/1000 PD in P4 (p=0.011). UV-C and copper were associated with significant HCAI prevention (RR 0.49, CI 95% 0.30-0.81, p=0.005) and with lesser HCAIs with bacterial isolates (RR 0.33, CI 95% 0.14-0.77, p=0.011)., Conclusions: Copper adhesive plating combined with UV-C disinfection were associated with a drop in HCAI rates and with the elimination of ESBL-caused HCAIs. Hence, we propose that these strategies be considered in MDRO proliferation preventions., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children. The causative pathogens show geographic and seasonal variations. We retrospectively evaluated the frequency and seasonality of respiratory pathogens in children and adolescents (age: 0-19 years) with ARIs treated between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, at a single center in Mexico. Out of 2400 patients, 1,603 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 797 were diagnosed with other common respiratory pathogens (CRPs). Of the 797 patients, 632 were infected with one CRP and 165 with > 2 CRPs. Deaths occurred only in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus B, and parainfluenza virus 3 were the most prevalent in cases with single and multiple infections. CRP showed a high frequency between autumn and winter of 2021, with higher incidence of hospitalization compared to COVID-19. The main comorbidities were immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease (CD), and asthma. The frequency of CRPs showed a downward trend throughout the first half of 2021. CRPs increased in single- and co-infection cases between the fourth and fifth waves of COVID-19, probably due to decreased nonpharmaceutical interventions and changes in diagnostic tests. Age, cyanosis (symptom), and immunosuppression (comorbidity) were found to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 infection and CRP infection., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: More than two years after the pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) there is a great lack of information. The presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) have been related with disease severity. Patients with comorbidities could develop more severe infection; however, the evaluation of the humoral response in pediatric population are needed especially in patients with comorbidities. Our aim was to describe the behavior of IgG in pediatric patients and to know if there is a difference between patients with comorbidities., Methods: A prospective comparative cohort study was carried out in a single center from June 2020 to January 2021, with a follow-up of 6 months. The study included all the subjects with confirmatory test for SARS-CoV-2 from 1 month to 17 years 11 months, the follow-up of the disease's evolution and measurement of IgG antibodies was collected. We obtained the clinical data, and comorbidities like arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cancer, the initial symptoms were recorded as well as the evolution regarding the severity of COVID-19 and the need for hospitalization, intensive care unit or mechanical ventilation. The follow up was carried out through medical consultation with an appointment every month that included direct interrogation, examination, and peripheral blood collection for the IgG quantification. The antibodies detection was done through peripheral blood and chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay., Results: A total of 237 patients with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SARS-COV-2 were included, of which 147 presented IgG antibodies (62%), 112 (76%) without comorbidity and 35 (24%) with comorbidities, by the sixth month only 2.7% continue with positive antibody measurements. Patients with comorbidities reach higher IgG levels than patients without comorbidities the basal titters were: 5.17 for patients without comorbidities vs. 6.96 for the group with comorbidities (P<0.001)., Conclusions: We found an association between the presence of comorbidities and high levels of IgG units in pediatric patients with COVID-19. Additionally, patients with more severe course of the disease have higher levels of IgG and by the third month less than 35% have immunity., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tp.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tp-22-454/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2023 Translational Pediatrics. All rights reserved.)

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 is a primary tool for controlling the pandemic. However, the spread of vaccine hesitancy constitutes a significant threat to reverse progress in preventing the disease. Studies conducted in Mexico have revealed that vaccination intention in Mexico among the general population ranges from 62 to 82%., Objective: To know the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and associated factors among academics, students, and administrative personnel of a public university in Mexico City., Methods: We administered an online survey investigating sociodemographic aspects, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and acceptance/hesitancy regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Using generalized linear Poisson models, we analyzed factors associated with vaccine hesitancy, defined as not intending to be vaccinated within the following six months or refusing vaccination., Results: During May and June 2021, we studied 840 people, prevalence of vaccine hesitancy was 6%. Hesitancy was significantly associated with fear of adverse effects, distrust of physician's recommendations, lack of knowledge regarding handwashing, age younger than 40 years, refusal to use face masks, and not having received influenza vaccination during the two previous seasons., Conclusions: Vaccine hesitancy in this population is low. Furthermore, our results allowed us the identification of characteristics that can improve vaccine promotion., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: At the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it became critical to isolate all infected patients, regardless of their age. Isolating children has a negative effect on both, them and their parents/caregivers. Nevertheless isolation was mandatory because of the potential risk that visitation might have on COVID-19 dissemination mostly among health personnel., Methods: From the starting of the COVID-19 pandemic in our pediatric hospital visits were forbidden. This 2 months period (April-May) was called P1. In June parents were allowed to visit (P2), under a visiting protocol previously published. Hospital workers were monitored for the presence of COVID-19 symptoms and tested for the infection when clinically justified. The positivity proportion and the relative risk (RR) of COVID-19 among the health personnel between periods were calculated. The caregivers were also followed up by phone calls., Results: Since April 2020 to November 2020, 2,884 health personnel were studied for 234 days, (318,146 workers days). Although the COVID-19/1,000 health personnel days rate decreased from one period to another (1.43 vs 1.23), no statistically significant differences were found. During P1, 16 patients with COVID-19 were treated. During the follow up none of the family members were infected/symptomatic in P1, while in P2, 6/129 (4.65%) were symptomatic or had a positive test. All of them initiated between 2 and 4 days after the patient's admission. As they also had some other infected family members it was not possible to ensure the source of infection. There were no statistically significant differences in the RR of COVID-19 in health personnel, (RR 1, 95% CI 0.69-1.06, p = 0.162)., Conclusions: When safely implemented, allowing parents/caregivers to spend time with their hospitalized COVID-19 children does not increase the contagion risk for hospital workers or among themselves., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 De la Rosa-Zamboni, Adame-Vivanco, Luque-Coqui, Jaramillo-Esparza, Ortega-Riosvelasco, Reyna-Trinidad, Guerrero-Díaz, Ortega-Ruiz, Saldívar-Salazar, Villa-Guillen, Nieto-Zermeño, Bonilla-Pellegrini and Jamaica Balderas.)

Recent multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa has favoured the adaptation and dissemination of worldwide high-risk strains. In June 2018, 15 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from patients and a contaminated multi-dose meropenem vial were characterized to assess their association to an outbreak in a Mexican paediatric hospital. The strains were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility profiling, virulence factors' production, and biofilm formation. The clonal relationship among isolates was determined with pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) sequencing. Repressor genes for the MexAB-OprM efflux pump were sequenced for haplotype identification. Of the strains, 60% were profiled as extensively drug-resistant (XDR), 33% as multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 6.6% were classified as sensitive (S). All strains presented intermediate resistance to colistin, and 80% were sensitive to aztreonam. Pyoverdine was the most produced virulence factor. The PFGE technique was performed for the identification of the outbreak, revealing eight strains with the same electrophoretic pattern. ST235 and ten new sequence types (STs) were identified, all closely related to ST233. ST3241 predominated in 26.66% of the strains. Twenty-five synonymous and seventeen nonsynonymous substitutions were identified in the regulatory genes of the MexAB-OprM efflux pump, and nalC was the most variable gene. Six different haplotypes were identified. Strains from the outbreak were metallo-β-lactamases and phylogenetically related to the high-risk clone ST233.

Objective: To report the frequency of asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2 in pediatric patients undergoing invasive medical procedures in a tertiary pediatric hospital., Methods: From June to October 2020, a SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) test was performed for all pediatric patients scheduled to undergo an elective invasive procedure. None of the patients was symptomatic. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of the ORF1ab gene were recorded for all patients., Results: A total of 700 patients were screened for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The median age was 5.7 y old. In total, 46.6% (n = 326) of the patients were male, and 53.4% (n = 374) were female. The most common underlying diseases were hemato-oncological (25.3%), gastrointestinal (24.9%), and genitourinary (10.3%). The main scheduled surgical-medical procedures were surgical treatment for acquired congenital diseases, biopsy sampling, local therapy administration, organ transplantation, and the placement of central venous catheters, among others. The SARS-CoV-2 rRT-PCR test was positive in 9.4% (66), and the median Ct value was 35.8. None of the patients developed COVID-19., Conclusions: The frequency of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was detected in less than 10% of pediatric patients scheduled to undergo an elective invasive procedure in a tertiary hospital. This frequency is higher than those in reports from different countries., (© 2021. Dr. K C Chaudhuri Foundation.)

Health personnel (HP) have been universally recognized as especially susceptible to COVID-19. In Mexico, our home country, HP has one of the highest death rates from the disease. From the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an office for initial attention for HP and a call center were established at a COVID-19 national reference pediatric hospital, aimed at early detection of COVID-19 cases and stopping local transmission. The detection and call center implementation and operation, and tracing methodology are described here. A total of 1,042 HP were evaluated, with 221 positive cases identified (7.7% of all HP currently working and 26% of the HP tested). Community contagion was most prevalent (46%), followed by other HP (27%), household (14%), and hospitalized patients (13%). Clusters and contact network analysis are discussed. This is one of the first reports that address the details of the implementation process of contact tracing in a pediatric hospital from the perspective of a hybrid hospital with COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 de la Rosa-Zamboni, Ortega-Riosvelasco, González-García, Gamiño-Arroyo, Espinosa-González, Valladares-Wagner, Saldívar-Flores, Aguilar-Guzmán, Sanchez-Pujol, López-Martínez, Villa-Guillén, Parra-Ortega, Jamaica-Balderas, Sienra-Monge and Guerrero-Díaz.)

The pandemic caused by SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) has affected millions of people since 2020. There are clinical differences and in mortality between the adult and paediatric population. Recently, the immune response through the development of antibodies has gained relevance due to the risk of reinfection and vaccines' development. Objective: Was to compare the association of clinical history and the clinical presentation of the disease with the development of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in paediatric and adult patients with a history of positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study carried out in a Paediatric Hospital in Mexico City included patients under 18 years of age and health personnel with positive RT-PCR for COVID-19 comparing antibody expression. The development of specific IgG antibodies was measured, the presence of comorbidities, duration, and severity of symptoms was determined. Results: Sixty-one subjects (20 < 18 years and 41 > 18 years) were analysed. The median sample collection was 3 weeks. There were no differences in the expression of specific antibodies; no differences were shown according to the symptoms' severity. A positive correlation ( r = 0.77) was demonstrated between the duration of symptoms and antibody levels. Conclusions: In conclusion, there is a clear association between the duration of the symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and the IgG units generated in paediatric and adult patients convalescing from COVID-19., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Márquez-González, López-Martínez, Parra-Ortega, Rosa-Zamboni, Salazar-García, Olivar-López and Klünder-Klünder.)

This paper describes the experience in a public pediatric hospital when implementing the Mexican Health Ministry's recommendations on the inclusion and importance of a chosen caregiver during the hospitalization of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pediatric patient. The implementation includes the adjustments, observations, and limitations made in real practice and process. In conclusion, the value and benefits of the accompaniment of hospitalized children with COVID-19 by a primary or chosen caregiver are evidenced and supported by family-centered care. Furthermore, the recommendations mentioned result in comprehensive bio-psycho-social care for the benefit of pediatric patients.

Background: The new evere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by its high capacity to transmit. Health-care personnel is highly susceptible to becoming infected. This study aimed to determine the characteristics and known risk factors for contagion and severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 disease in health-care personnel of a pediatric coronavirus disease (COVID) center in Mexico City., Methods: In the last week of March 2020 (at the beginning of phase 2 of the Ministry of Health's national campaign in Mexico), a study was conducted on healthcare workers of a pediatric COVID hospital in Mexico City. Using a virtual interview, we evaluated comorbidities, mobility, areas and functions where they carry out the activities, protection measures, contact history, and vaccination. According to their activities, healthcare workers were classified into the following areas: medical, nursing, other health-care personnel (researchers, nutritionists, rehabilitation, imaging, and laboratory), administrative, and other services. We compared the variables between the groups of healthcare workers with the X2 test., Results: We included 812 participants. The mean age was 41 ± 11 years, and 33% were overweight or obese, 18% were over 60 years old, and 19% had high blood pressure. Medical and nursing personnel presented a higher proportion in the use of standard protection measures., Conclusions: Among healthcare workers, there are risk conditions for the development of complications in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Most medical and nursing personnel use standard protective measures.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered an opportunistic pathogen in humans and is mainly associated with healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). This bacterium colonizes the skin and mucous membranes of healthy people and causes frequent hospital outbreaks. The aim of this study was to perform molecular typing of the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCC mec ) and agr loci as wells as to establish the pulsotypes and clonal complexes (CCs) for MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S . aureus (MSSA) outbreaks associated with the operating room (OR) at a pediatric hospital. Twenty-five clinical strains of S. aureus (19 MRSA and 6 MSSA strains) were recovered from the outbreak (patients, anesthesia equipment, and nasopharyngeal exudates from external service anesthesia technicians). These clinical S . aureus strains were mainly resistant to benzylpenicillin (100%) and erythromycin (84%) and were susceptible to vancomycin and nitrofurantoin. The SCC mec type II was amplified in 84% of the S . aureus strains, and the most frequent type of the agr locus was agrII , which was amplified in 72% of the strains; however, the agrI and agrIII genes were mainly detected in MSSA strains. A pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis grouped the 25 strains into 16 pulsotypes (P), the most frequent of which was P1, including 10 MRSA strains related to the anesthesia equipment, external service anesthesia technicians, and hospitalized patients. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) identified 15 sequence types (STs) distributed in nine CCs. The most prevalent ST was ST1011, belonging to CC5, which was associated with the SCC mec type II and agrII type. We postulate that the external service anesthesia technicians were MRSA carriers and that these strains were indirectly transmitted from the contaminated anesthesia equipment that was inappropriately disinfected. Finally, the MRSA outbreak was controlled when the anesthesia equipment disinfection was improved and hand hygiene was reinforced., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Ochoa, Cruz-Córdova, Mancilla-Rojano, Escalona-Venegas, Esteban-Kenel, Franco-Hernández, Parra-Ortega, Arellano-Galindo, Hernández-Castro, Perez-López, De la Rosa-Zamboni and Xicohtencatl-Cortes.)

Overview of the pandemic In December 2019, a new virus named SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Wuhan province, China. The first case of COVID-19 in Mexico was confirmed on February 28, 2020, and the World Health Organization declared the pandemic on March 11.

Background: The pathogenesis of postsurgical pneumonia is a complicated and multifactorial process, in which elements like oral bacteria, orotracheal intubation, and dental hygiene play an important role. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 2 types of oral hygiene interventions in decreasing cases of postsurgical pneumonia., Methods: In pediatric patients scheduled for surgery, a quasi-experimental study was carried out over a 2-year period to evaluate the efficacy of 2 types of oral hygiene interventions. There were 2 groups of intervention with 1 group for comparison. Intervention groups were tooth brushing by a dentist (intervention group 1) and dental brushing by parents + chlorhexidine gluconate (intervention group 2). Data from the year with no oral hygiene interventions were used as the baseline group., Results: A total of 2,535 surgical procedures were followed. Baseline group incidence of postoperative pneumonia was 10 per 1,000 surgeries, 0.2 per 1,000 surgeries in the intervention group 1 (P = .04), and 0.8 per 1,000 surgeries in the intervention group 2. Intervention group 1 was protective against postoperative pneumonia (odds ratio, 0.06; P = .02; 95% confidence interval, 0.033-0.079), but there was no benefit with intervention group 2 (odds ratio, 0.87; P = .599; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-1.46)., Conclusions: Dental brushing performed before surgery by a pediatric dentist was effective in reducing the incidence of postoperative pneumonia in pediatric patients., (Copyright © 2019 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Biennial H1N1pdm09 influenza A virus (IAV) epidemics have been associated with major severity of respiratory disease in Mexico. Atypically and in contrast with what happened in USA, Canada and Europe during 2017, an increase of infections due to the H1N1pdm09 pandemic virus instead of H3N2 was observed. In order to determine the viral contribution to severe acute respiratory disease, we characterized the pathogenicity determinants of IAV in Mexico during the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons. The RNA segments of 20 IAV samples were sequenced by NGS platform and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. The analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) sequences established that all virus samples, except one, belong to clade (6B.1). The IAVs presented the substitution S162 N, which introduces a new glycosylation site in the hemagglutinin. We also found the D222 G substitution, which has been associated with a higher tropism towards the lower respiratory tract, and a non-reported insertion of one Ile in NS1 (Ile113). The IAVs from 2016 to 2017 in Mexico belong to the new clade 6B.1. The new glycosylation site in HA (S162 N) is a major change that may affect the efficacy of the current vaccine. We detected in several patients pathogenicity determinants associated with the severity of the respiratory disease., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, are among the most common adverse events in healthcare, and of them, pneumonia is the most commonly reported. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence and clinical outcome of respiratory viruses in hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Methods: This was a prospective cohort study, include patients aged between 0 and 18 who fulfilled Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria for HAP. Demographic and clinical data were obtained, and a nasopharyngeal swab specimen was taken for the detection of respiratory viruses. All included patients were monitored until discharge to collect data on the need for mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality. All-cause 30-day mortality was also ascertained. Results: Four thousand three hundred twenty-seven patients were followed for 42,658 patient-days and 5,150 ventilator-days. Eighty-eight patients (2.03%) met the CDC criteria for HAP, 63 patients were included, and clinical and epidemiological characteristics showed no statistically significant differences between patients with virus associated healthcare-associated pneumonia (VAHAP) and those with non-viral healthcare-associated pneumonia (NVHAP). At least one respiratory virus was detected in 65% [95% CI (53-77)] of episodes of HAP, with a single viral pathogen observed in 53.9% and coinfection with 2 viruses in 11.1% of cases. The outcome in terms of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and the 30-day mortality did not show a significant difference between groups. Conclusions: In two-thirds of the patients a respiratory virus was identified. There was no difference in mortality or the rest of the clinical outcome variables. About half of the patients required mechanical ventilation and 10% died, which emphasizes the importance of considering these pathogens in nosocomial infections, since their identification can influence the decrease in hospital costs and be taken into account in infection control policies.

Purpose: Hand hygiene is the most important strategy for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs); however, the impact of hand hygiene in middle-income countries has been poorly described. In this work, we describe the impact of the programme 'Let's Go for 100' on hand hygiene adherence, HCAIs rates and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including the molecular typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains., Methodology: A multimodal, hospital-wide hand hygiene programme was implemented from 2013. 'Let's Go for 100' involved all healthcare workers and encompassed education, awareness, visual reminders, feedback and innovative strategies. Monthly hand hygiene monitoring and active HCAI surveillance were performed in every ward. Molecular typing of MRSA was analysed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).Results/Key findings. Hand hygiene adherence increased from 34.9 % during the baseline period to 80.6 % in the last 3 months of this study. The HCAI rate decreased from 7.54 to 6.46/1000 patient-days (P=0.004). The central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSIs) rate fell from 4.84 to 3.66/1000 central line-days (P=0.05). Negative correlations between hand hygiene and HCAIs rates were identified. The attack rate of MDR-ESKAPE group bloodstream infections decreased from 0.54 to 0.20/100 discharges (P=0.024). MRSA pulsotypes that were prevalent during the baseline period were no longer detected after the 5 th quarter, although new strains were identified., Conclusions: A multimodal hand hygiene programme in a paediatric hospital in a middle-income country was effective in improving adherence and reducing HCAIs, CLABSIs and MDR-ESKAPE bloodstream infections. Sustaining hand hygiene adherence at a level of >60 % for one year limited MRSA clonal transmission.

Introduction: Healthcare personnel (HP) are frequently exposed to influenza and can be a source of transmission to patients and other workers, resulting in high-cost outbreaks for healthcare institutions., Objectives: To analyse the presentation of HP with influenza-like illness (ILI) and the differences between individuals with influenza confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and those with a negative test. The secondary objective was to evaluate the duration of symptomatology and work absenteeism as well as the vaccination rate of HP at a paediatric referral hospital., Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted at a paediatric referral hospital. Clinical and epidemiological data on HP with ILI were collected between January and April 2016. Nasopharyngeal swab for influenza PCR was obtained from one in every three workers with ILI. Telephone follow-up was conducted to document duration of symptoms, complications and absenteeism., Results: A total of 164 ILI episodes were evaluated in 162 HP. A swab was obtained in 59 cases, and influenza was detected in 30 cases. The clinical picture of HP with confirmed influenza was similar to that of HP with a negative PCR. Arthralgia was more common in those with influenza (90% vs 58%), with a tendency towards statistical significance. No HP required hospitalization, and 78.5% were absent from work at least 1 day., Conclusions: Influenza causes significant morbidity and absenteeism among HP. Influenza infection was confirmed in only half of HP with an ILI on whom a PCR was performed, suggesting that other respiratory viruses can cause a similar pattern., (© 2018 The Authors. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Several microorganisms produce nosocomial infections (NIs), among which Pseudomonas aeruginosa stands out as an opportunist pathogen with the capacity to develop multiresistance to first-choice antibiotics. From 2007 to 2013, forty-six NIs produced by P. aeruginosa were detected at a pediatric tertiary care hospital in Mexico with a significant mortality rate (17.39%). All isolates (n = 58/46 patients) were characterized by evaluating their response to several antibiotics as panresistant (PDR), extensively resistant (XDR), multiresistant (MDR) or sensitive (S). In addition, all isolates were typified through multilocus sequencing of seven genes: acsA, aroE, guaA, mutL, nuoD, ppsA and trpE. Furthermore, to establish the genetic relationships among these isolates, we carried out a phylogenetic inference analysis using maximum likelihood to construct a phylogenetic network. To assess evolutionary parameters, recombination was evaluated using the PHI test, and the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions was determined. Two of the strains were PDR (ST1725); 42 were XDR; four were MDR; and ten were S. Twenty-one new sequence types were detected. Thirty-three strains exhibited novel sequence type ST1725. The ratio of nonsynonym to synonym substitutions was 1:1 considering all genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genetic relationship of the PDR, XDR and MDR strains was mainly clonal; however, the PHI test and the phylogenetic network suggest that recombination events occurred to produce a non-clonal population. This study aimed not only to determine the genetic diversity of clinical P. aeruginosa but also to provide a warning regarding the identification and spreading of clone ST1725, its ability to cause outbreaks with high mortality rates, and to remain in the hospital environment for over seven years. These characteristics highlight the need to identify clonal outbreaks, especially where high resistance to most antibiotics is observed, and control measures are needed. This study also represents the first report of the PDR ST1725.

In recent years, an increase of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains with Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and Extensively Drug-resistant (XDR) profiles that complicate therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) has been observed and has directly impacted costs and extended hospital stays. The aim of this study was to determine MDR- and XDR-UPEC clinical strains, their virulence genes, their phylogenetic groups and to ascertain their relationship with integrons and genetic diversity. From a collection of 500 UPEC strains, 103 were selected with MDR and XDR characteristics. MDR-UPEC strains were mainly associated with phylogenetic groups D (54.87%) and B2 (39.02%) with a high percentage (≥70%) of several fimbrial genes ( ecpA, fimH, csgA , and papG II), an iron uptake gene ( chuA ), and a toxin gene ( hlyA ). In addition, a moderate frequency (40-70%) of other genes ( iutD, tosA , and bcs A) was observed. XDR-UPEC strains were predominantly associated with phylogenetic groups B2 (47.61%) and D (42.85%), which grouped with ≥80 virulence genes, including ecpA, fimH, csgA, papG II, iutD , and chuA . A moderate frequency (40-70%) of the tosA and hlyA genes was observed. The class 1 and 2 integrons that were identified in the MDR- and XDR-UPEC strains were associated with phylogenetic groups D, B2, and A, while the XDR-UPEC strains that were associated with phylogenetic groups B2, D, and A showed an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype. The modifying enzymes ( aad A1, aad B, aac C, ant 1, dfr A1, dfr A17, and aad A4) that were identified in the variable region of class 1 and 2 integrons from the MDR strains showed resistance to gentamycin (56.25 and 66.66%, respectively) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (84.61 and 66.66%, respectively). The MDR- and XDR-UPEC strains were distributed into seven clusters and were closely related to phylogenic groups B2 and D. The diversity analysis by PFGE showed 42.68% of clones of MDR-UPEC and no clonal association in the XDR-UPEC strains. In conclusion, phylogenetic groups including virulence genes are widely associated with two integron classes (1 and 2) in MDR- and XDR-UPEC strains.

Background: Viral infections play a significant role in causing acute respiratory infections (ARIs) and exacerbations of chronic diseases. Acute respiratory infections are now the leading cause of mortality in children worldwide, especially in developing countries. Recently, human rhinovirus (HRV) infection has been emerged as an important cause of pneumonia and asthma exacerbation., Objectives: To determine the role of several viral agents principally, respiratory syncytial virus, and HRV in children with ARIs and their relationship with asthma exacerbation and pneumonia., Methods: Between October 2011 and March 2014, 432 nasopharyngeal samples of children <15 years of age with ARI hospitalized at a referral hospital for respiratory diseases were tested for the presence of respiratory viruses using a multiplex RT-qPCR. Clinical, epidemiological, and demographic data were collected and associated with symptomatology and viral infections., Results: Viral infections were detected in at least 59·7% of the enrolled patients, with HRV (26·6%) being the most frequently detected. HRV infections were associated with clinical features of asthma and difficulty in breathing such as wheezing (P = 0·0003), supraesternal (P = 0·046), and xiphoid retraction (P = 0·030). HRV subtype C (HRV-C) infections were associated with asthma (P = 0·02)., Conclusions: Human rhinovirus was the virus most commonly detected in pediatric patients with ARI. There is also an association of HRV-C infection with asthma exacerbation, emphasizing the relevance of this virus in severe pediatric respiratory disease., (© 2015 The Authors. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

When the A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic influenza virus moved into the post-pandemic period, there was a worldwide predominance of the seasonal influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses. However, A(H1N1)pdm09 became the prevailing subtype in the 2011-2012 influenza season in Mexico and most of Central America. During this season, we collected nasopharyngeal swabs of individuals presenting with influenza-like illness at our institution in Mexico City. Samples were tested for seasonal A(H3N2) and B influenza viruses, as well as A(H1N1)pdm09 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Of 205 samples tested, 46% were positive to influenza, all of them A(H1N1)pdm09. The clinical characteristics of patients showed a similar pattern to the 2009 pandemic cases. Using next generation sequencing, we obtained whole genome sequences of viruses from 4 different patients, and in 8 additional viruses we performed partial Sanger sequencing of the HA segment. Non-synonymous changes found in the Mexican isolates with respect to the prototype isolate H1N1 (A/California/04/2009) included HA S69T, K163R and N260D unique to 2012 Mexican and North American isolates and located within or adjacent to HA antigenic sites; HA S143G, S185T, A197T and S203T previously reported in viruses from the 2010-2011 season, located within or adjacent to HA antigenic sites; and HA E374K located in a relevant site for membrane fusion. All Mexican isolates had an oseltamivir-sensitive genotype. Phylogenetic analysis with all 8 influenza gene segments showed that 2012 Mexican sequences formed a robust, distinct cluster. In all cases, 2012 Mexican sequences tended to group with 2010-2011 Asian and European sequences, but not with 2009 Mexican sequences, suggesting a possible recent common ancestor between these latter regions and the 2012 Mexican viruses. It remains to be defined if these viral changes represent an important antigenic drift that would enable viral immune evasion and/or affect influenza vaccine effectiveness.

Objective: To describe the clinical course of infection by 2009 (H1N1) influenza virus in different stages of HIV disease., Design: Prospective, observational study., Methods: During the pandemic period, HIV-infected patients presenting respiratory symptoms at a third level referral hospital in Mexico City were tested for 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viral RNA. Clinical files were prospectively analyzed., Results: Infection by H1N1 was confirmed in 30 (23.8%) of the total 126 HIV-infected patients studied. In the group of patients with 2009 H1N1 virus infection, 16 (53.3%) were hospitalized, 12 (40%) had active opportunistic infections and six (20%) died. In the group of 96 patients not infected with 2009 H1N1 virus, 54 (56.25%) were hospitalized with opportunistic infections and 12 (12.5%) died. For all hospitalized patients, being on HAART and having undetectable HIV viral loads at hospitalization was associated with higher survival (P = 0.019). Patients with 2009 H1N1 virus infection had a higher mortality rate, even after adjusting for HAART (P = 0.043). Coinfection by HIV and H1N1 2009 virus was more severe in patients with opportunistic infections, as shown by longer hospital stays (P = 0.0013), higher rates of hospitalization (P < 0.0001), use of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.0086) and death (P = 0.026). Delayed administration of oseltamivir in hospitalized patients was significantly associated with mortality (P = 0.0022)., Conclusion: Our data suggest that infection by 2009 H1N1 is more severe in HIV-infected patients with late and advanced HIV disease than in well controlled patients under HAART.

Background: In late March 2009, an outbreak of a respiratory illness later proved to be caused by novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV) was identified in Mexico. We describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of persons hospitalized for pneumonia at the national tertiary hospital for respiratory illnesses in Mexico City who had laboratory-confirmed S-OIV infection, also known as swine flu., Methods: We used retrospective medical chart reviews to collect data on the hospitalized patients. S-OIV infection was confirmed in specimens with the use of a real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay., Results: From March 24 through April 24, 2009, a total of 18 cases of pneumonia and confirmed S-OIV infection were identified among 98 patients hospitalized for acute respiratory illness at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases in Mexico City. More than half of the 18 case patients were between 13 and 47 years of age, and only 8 had preexisting medical conditions. For 16 of the 18 patients, this was the first hospitalization for their illness; the other 2 patients were referred from other hospitals. All patients had fever, cough, dyspnea or respiratory distress, increased serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, and bilateral patchy pneumonia. Other common findings were an increased creatine kinase level (in 62% of patients) and lymphopenia (in 61%). Twelve patients required mechanical ventilation, and seven died. Within 7 days after contact with the initial case patients, a mild or moderate influenza-like illness developed in 22 health care workers; they were treated with oseltamivir, and none were hospitalized., Conclusions: S-OIV infection can cause severe illness, the acute respiratory distress syndrome, and death in previously healthy persons who are young to middle-aged. None of the secondary infections among health care workers were severe., (2009 Massachusetts Medical Society)