Up to 10% of hospitalized patients have an antibiotic allergy label in their medical file, most frequently concerning penicillins. However, the vast majority of reported allergies to antibiotics... Show moreUp to 10% of hospitalized patients have an antibiotic allergy label in their medical file, most frequently concerning penicillins. However, the vast majority of reported allergies to antibiotics does not represent a "true" allergy but are due to drug intolerance, idiosyncratic reactions or symptoms of the concurrent infectious disease. Since antibiotic allergy labels result in deviation from first-choice antimicrobial therapy, tackling the issue of incorrect antibiotic allergy labelling, already at young age, is a core element of antibiotic stewardship. In this article, we describe the structured approach to the patient with a presumed antibiotic allergy with emphasis on key elements of allergy-specific history taking and the limited risk of cross-allergic reactions between beta-lactam subclasses. Show less
Jansen, S.J.; Lopriore, E.; Bredius, R.G.M.; Beek, M.T. van der; Moes, D.J.A.R.; Bekker, V. 2021
Background:Adequate dosage recommendations are imperative for successful treatment of invasive infections. We evaluated the occurrence of sub- and supratherapeutic serum and cerebrospinal fluid ... Show moreBackground:Adequate dosage recommendations are imperative for successful treatment of invasive infections. We evaluated the occurrence of sub- and supratherapeutic serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of benzylpenicillin (BPEN) in neonates treated for a severe group B streptococci (GBS) sepsis and/or meningitis as well as discrepancies in dosing recommendations provided by pediatric reference sources.Methods:Retrospective analysis of (pre)term infants treated with BPEN undergoing therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) between May 2015 and May 2019. Outcomes included numbers of sub- and supratherapeutic concentrations, and dose adjustments, clinical evolution, and dosing recommendations from six pediatric reference sources.Results:A total of 21 TDM samples from 8 neonates were evaluated. Among serum concentrations, 9/21 (43%) were below and 8/21 (38%) above the pre-specified therapeutic target range of 10-20 mg/L. Only 1 patient had BPEN determined in CSF whose concentration was below the lower limit of quantification. TDM identified a need for dose modification in 10/21 (48%) instances. Three of eight patients exhibited complete resolution of clinical, laboratory and radiologic signs of infection. Substantial variation in dosing recommendations (50,000-400,000 IE/kg/d) was present between reference sources.Conclusions:Our data reveal that under current dosage recommendations, the predefined target serum or CSF concentrations of BPEN are not achieved in all children. In case of clinical failure, serum and/or CSF BPEN concentrations should be determined. Given the wide variation in concentrations and subsequent dose requirements, further exploration of the clinical and pharmacologic characteristics of BPEN in (pre)term neonates is essential to optimize therapeutic efficacy. Show less
We report a case of neonatal meningitis with subdural empyema, caused by Ureaplasma parvum. In this case, diagnosis was made by genus-specific polymerase chain reaction, after regularly used... Show moreWe report a case of neonatal meningitis with subdural empyema, caused by Ureaplasma parvum. In this case, diagnosis was made by genus-specific polymerase chain reaction, after regularly used diagnostic techniques failed. This unusual pathogen should be considered in cases that do not respond to therapy and/or where cultures for typical pathogens in neonatal sepsis and meningitis remain negative. Show less
Nasopharyngeal colonization of potential respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae is the major source of transmission and precursor of invasive disease. Swabbing deeply the... Show moreNasopharyngeal colonization of potential respiratory pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae is the major source of transmission and precursor of invasive disease. Swabbing deeply the nasopharynx, which is currently recommended by World Health Organization, provides accurate pneumococcal detection but is unpleasant. We showed that nasal lining fluid filter strips offer equal detection sensitivity. Show less
Down syndrome children show a decreased avidity of the antibody response after tetanus toxoid booster vaccination at 9 years of age suggesting impaired memory B cell selection in the germinal... Show moreDown syndrome children show a decreased avidity of the antibody response after tetanus toxoid booster vaccination at 9 years of age suggesting impaired memory B cell selection in the germinal center. Clinicians need to be aware of this ongoing subtle immunologic deficit in Down syndrome. Show less
