Empiric antibiotic therapy for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children: A Pro/Con Discussion.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen of increasing clinical interest as cases have recently risen in the United States and worldwide following a period of reduced activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. While most cases are mild, Mycoplasma pneumoniae can cause severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and cannot be reliably distinguished from other common causes of CAP based solely on features of clinical presentation or imaging. However, testing to confirm a diagnosis of M.

2025 Clinical Practice Guideline Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on Histoplasmosis: Treatment of Asymptomatic Histoplasma Pulmonary Nodules (Histoplasmomas) and Mild or Moderate Acute Pulmonary Histoplasmosis in Adults, Children, and Pregnant People.

As the first part of an update to the clinical practice guideline on the management of histoplasmosis in adults, children, and pregnant people, developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America, we present 4 updated recommendations. These recommendations span treatment of asymptomatic Histoplasma pulmonary nodules (histoplasmomas), mild acute pulmonary histoplasmosis, and moderate acute pulmonary histoplasmosis. The panel's recommendations are based on evidence derived from systematic literature reviews and adhere to a standardized methodology for rating the certainty of evidence and strength of recommendation according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach.

2025 Clinical Practice Guideline Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on Histoplasmosis: Treatment of Mild or Moderate Acute Pulmonary Histoplasmosis in Adults, Children, and Pregnant People.

This article is part of a larger clinical practice guideline on the management of histoplasmosis in adults, children, and pregnant people, developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. In this article, the panel provides recommendations for treatment of mild and moderate acute pulmonary histoplasmosis. The panel's recommendations are based upon evidence derived from systematic literature reviews and adhere to a standardized methodology for rating the certainty of evidence and strength of recommendation according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach.

2025 Clinical Practice Guideline Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on Histoplasmosis: Treatment of Asymptomatic Histoplasma Pulmonary Nodules (Histoplasmomas) in Adults, Children, and Pregnant People.

This paper is part of a larger clinical practice guideline on the management of histoplasmosis in adults, children, and pregnant people, developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. In this paper, the panel provides a recommendation for treatment of asymptomatic pulmonary nodules. The panel's recommendation is based upon evidence derived from systematic literature reviews and adheres to a standardized methodology for rating the certainty of evidence and strength of recommendation according to the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach.

Orthopedic Device Infections in Children.

Orthopedic device infections in children are complicated and diverse, often affecting patients with concomitant conditions such as neuromuscular disorders or solid tumors. As such, diagnosis and management of these infections is personalized, nuanced, and specialized. In this review, we focus on infections related to spinal hardware and prostheses inserted during limb-salvage surgery for bone tumors.

Improvement in Palivizumab Administration in Severely Immunocompromised Children: A Single-institution Quality Improvement Initiative.

Introduction: Palivizumab reduces severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection risk in immunocompromised children. However, guidance on palivizumab prophylaxis for immunocompromised children has remained vague. We developed an institutional program to allocate palivizumab in a predefined high-risk group of patients.

Understanding and promoting nature connectedness: A human ecological perspective.

People's subjective sense of their relationship with nature - or nature connectedness - is consistently found to relate to both well-being and pro-environmental values and behaviors. Yet human perceptions of their relationships with the rest of nature are complex and, in many cases, reflect cultural beliefs and historical legacies. In this paper we identify a tension within the research literature on nature connectedness and associated efforts to understand, measure, and promote nature connectedness.

Understanding Veterans in New York: A Needs Assessment of Veterans Recently Separated from the Military.

Over the past decade, there has been increased awareness that U.S. military veterans often grapple with significant mental and physical health issues related to their service.

Use of food restrictions to prevent infections in paediatric patients with cancer and haematopoietic cell transplantation recipients: a systematic review and clinical practice guideline.

Background: Food restrictions during periods of neutropenia have been widely used in oncology settings to prevent infections. As there is a lack of clearly demonstrated effectiveness, this strategy is being increasingly questioned.

Methods: A multi-national panel of 23 individuals was convened to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the use of food restrictions to prevent infections in paediatric patients with cancer and haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) recipients.

Prevention and Management of Infectious Complications in Pediatric Patients With Cancer: A Survey Assessment of Current Practices Across Children's Oncology Group Institutions.

Introduction: While clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for pediatric oncology infection prophylaxis and management exist, few data describe actual management occurring at pediatric oncology centers.

Methods: An electronic survey querying infection management practices in nontransplant pediatric oncology patients was iteratively created by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) Cancer Control and Supportive Care Infectious Diseases Subcommittee and sent to leaders at all COG institutions, limiting each site to one response to represent their institution.

Results: The response rate was 57% (129/227 institutions).

Amphipods (Gammarus pseudolimnaeus) do not demonstrate a left-right preference in a 3-D printed aquatic T-maze.

Crustaceans are increasingly used as research subjects in experiments investigating learning in invertebrates. While many of these species may be useful models it is essential to document the presence or absence of behavioral laterality, especially considering the long-held belief that functional lateralization was unique to humans or other vertebrate species. Neglecting this fundamental step weakens the applicability of results and may unnecessarily complicate experimental design.

Worksheet-Based Delivery System to Improve Participation and Engagement in Basic Science.

The Challenge: A basic science curriculum is foundational to surgical training. However, engagement in, and satisfaction with, standard lectures is notoriously poor and antithetical to adult education principles.

The Tool: We developed a worksheet-based delivery system to improve participation and engagement in basic science.

Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim Prophylaxis in Pediatric Oncology Patients With Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency.

We sought to determine whether Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia prophylaxis with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP) is associated with an increased frequency of acute hemolytic anemia in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency versus non-G6PD-deficient controls in a pediatric oncology population. There was no statistically significant difference in change in hemoglobin or transfusion requirements after starting SMX-TMP between groups. These findings suggest no increased risk of acute hemolytic anemia with SMX-TMP administered at prophylaxis doses in patients with G6PD deficiency.

Comparison of Post-Hemorrhoid Surgery Pain Profiles in Older and Younger Adults.

Introduction: Older and younger adults are offered similar analgesic options after hemorrhoid surgery (HS), but the differences in pain between the two populations are unknown. This study aims to compare postoperative pain outcomes after HS in older and younger individuals.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of patients who underwent HS between 2018 and 2023.

Making a Financial Case for the Geriatric Surgery Verification Program.

Mini abstract The financial benefits of instituting the American College of Surgeons Geriatric Surgery Verification Program far exceed the costs, with the added benefits of enhanced patient satisfaction and improved staff morale.

Association of Vitamin A and D Deficiencies with Infectious Outcomes in Children Undergoing Intensive Induction Therapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Objective: To evaluate the association between deficiency of vitamin A or D at diagnosis of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and subsequent infectious complications during induction therapy.

Study Design: We conducted an institutional review board-approved, retrospective cohort study of children with newly diagnosed ALL from 2007 to 2017 at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Risk Factors for Pediatric Critical COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Risk stratification is a cornerstone of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society COVID-19 treatment guidance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to define the clinical characteristics and comorbidities associated with critical COVID-19 in children and adolescents.

Methods: Two independent reviewers screened the literature (Medline and EMBASE) for studies published through August 31, 2023, that reported outcome data on patients aged ≤21 years with COVID-19.