interspecies dissemination of IncM2-type carrying plasmid.

The gastrointestinal tract is a unique ecological niche with a high abundance of various Enterobacterales in close proximity. This allows the exchange of mobile genetic elements that carry resistance determinants. In the hospital setting, resistant organisms are prevalent and selective antibiotic pressure is high, providing a supportive platform for interspecies dissemination of resistance.

Dynamics of invasive pneumococcal disease in infants < 2 years old following PCV7/13 implementation using two infant and a booster dose schedule: evidence for indirect protection of young infants, Israel, 2004 to 2019.

BackgroundPneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV)7 and PCV13 programmes started in Israel from July 2009 and November 2010 respectively, with a 2+1 schedule (one dose at 2 months old, one at 4 months old, and a booster dose at 12 months old). Thereafter, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) rates substantially declined in children. Uptake of all three doses in < 2-year-olds since 2012 is > 90%.

Bacterial vs viral etiology of fever: A prospective study of a host score for supporting etiologic accuracy of emergency department physicians.

Background: A host-protein score (BV score) that combines the circulating levels of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and C-reactive protein (CRP) was developed for distinguishing bacterial from viral infection. This study assessed the potential of the BV score to impact decision making and antibiotic stewardship at the emergency department (ED), by comparing BV score's performance to physician's etiological suspicion at patient presentation.

Methods: Rosetta study participants, aged 3 months to 18 years with febrile respiratory tract infection or fever without source, were prospectively recruited in a tertiary care pediatric ED.

Definitive antibiotic treatment with a third-generation cephalosporin and with piperacillin-tazobactam worked well for some children with Serratia bacteraemia.

Aim: This study aimed to describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Serratia bacteraemia and to identify factors associated with mortality.

Methods: The microbiology database of Schneider Children's Medical Centre of Israel was examined for Serratia marcescens positive blood cultures, between January 2007 and May 2020. Demographic, clinical and microbial characteristics were analysed.

Incidence, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Clinically Undetected Bacteremia in Children Discharged Home From the Emergency Department.

Background: Despite a recent decline in the rates of invasive infections, bacteremia in young children remains a significant challenge. We aimed to describe patient characteristics, microbial etiology, and outcomes of bacteremic, well-appearing children 3-36 months of age who were discharged home from the pediatric emergency department (PED) on their index visit.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study in the PED of a tertiary children's hospital from 1 June 2015 until 30 June 2021.

COVID-19 in a Subset of Hospitalized Children in Israel.

Background: Most pediatric coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is mild. We assessed nationally severe COVID-19, including pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome (PIMS), in hospitalized children.

Methods: An ongoing, prospective, national surveillance was conducted from March 2020 through March 2021, at 20 hospitals treating children <18 years across Israel (~75% of Israeli hospitals).

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Workers Despite the Use of Surgical Masks and Physical Distancing-the Role of Airborne Transmission.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted mainly via respiratory droplets. A key question in the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is whether SARS-CoV-2 could be transmitted via the airborne route as well. We report for the first time SARS-CoV-2 nosocomial infections despite using surgical masks and physical distancing.

Factors predicting efficacy of ethanol lock therapy as catheter salvage strategy for pediatric catheter-related infections.

Aim: Catheter-related infections are difficult to cure, and failure rates are high. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ethanol lock therapy (ELT) as catheter salvage strategy in children with central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), and to identify factors associated with treatment failure.

Methods: Data were collected of all the children who received ELT for treatment of CLABSI during 2013-2018 due to failure of standard therapy or multiple catheter-related infections.

Changing epidemiology and resistance patterns of pathogens causing neonatal bacteremia.

To conduct a survey of the local prevalent bacteria and antibiotic resistance in a referral tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), in order to assess the efficacy of local antibiotic policies. We reviewed all positive blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures obtained between January 2007 and December 2017 in the NICU of Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel. Early and late-onset bacteremia were defined as episodes occurring within or after the first 3 calendar days of life respectively.

Mycobacterium marinum: a rare cause of chronic lymphocutaneous syndrome.

Unlabelled: We investigated the prevalence of Mycobacterium marinum lymphadenitis and describe 4 children with the disease. The database of the microbiology laboratory of a tertiary pediatric medical center was searched for all cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis from 1996 to 2016. M.

Using the Rochester criteria to evaluate infantile fever is more effective in males than females.

Aim: The reliability of low-risk and high-risk criteria in evaluating febrile infants aged up to 60 days has been well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate gender differences in the reliability of these criteria in order to exclude serious bacterial infection (SBI) in febrile infants.

Methods: This study used the Rochester risk criteria, the study group was divided into low- or high-risk status for SBI, and the data were stratified by gender.

[Pediatric injuries from mass casualty events in Israel: a ten-year summary].

Background: Children are the most vulnerable sub-population in mass casualty events (MCEs), however, characteristics of MCE related injuries among children have not been well described.

Aim: The aim of our study was to characterize childhood injuries resulting from MCEs in Israel including parameters such as magnitude, injury mechanism and severity and use of hospital resources.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive study of MCE related injuries among hospitalized children (0-17 years) between the years 1998-2007 and recorded in the Israel Trauma Registry (ITR).

Invasive fungal infections in pediatric oncology.

Background: Data on the epidemiology and outcome of invasive fungal infections in children with cancer are limited. The aim of the study was to delineate the epidemiologic, clinical features, risk factors, and outcome of invasive fungal infections in this population.

Procedure: The medical records of all children with malignancies diagnosed with an invasive fungal infection in 1998-2006 at a tertiary pediatric medical center were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and laboratory data.

Validity of the quick-read C-reactive protein test in the prediction of bacterial pneumonia in the pediatric emergency department.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) values are clinically useful in differentiating viral from bacterial illnesses in children, but the regular test is impractical in the emergency department (ED) setting.

Objective: To investigate the validity and feasibility of the 2-min bedside Quick Read (QR)-CRP test in the prediction of bacterial pneumonia in children in the ED.

Methods: Fifty randomly selected children aged 4 days to 17 years, who presented to a pediatric ED with symptoms and signs of pneumonia over a 6-month period, were prospectively studied.

The quick-read C-reactive protein test for the prediction of bacterial gastroenteritis in the pediatric emergency department.

Objective: To determine the clinical usefulness of the bedside Quick-Read (QR) C-reactive protein (CRP) test for predicting bacterial gastroenteritis in the pediatric emergency department.

Study Design: We tested for CRP in 44 children who presented to the emergency department with gastroenteritis and underwent blood tests and stool culture. C-reactive protein was measured in leftover blood or serum (0.

Oral betamethasone versus intramuscular dexamethasone for the treatment of mild to moderate viral croup: a prospective, randomized trial.

Objective: Intramuscular dexamethasone is an effective, but painful, treatment for croup. The effectiveness of betamethasone, an oral, palatable, and equally potent glucocorticoid has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a single oral dose of betamethasone with intramuscular dexamethasone in the outpatient treatment of mild to moderate croup.

Pediatric advanced life support (PALS) courses in Israel: ten years of experience.

Background: The Pediatric Advanced Life Support course of the American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics was established in Israel in 1994 and has since been presented to over 3,108 medical and paramedical personnel.

Objectives: To assess the achievements of participants in the PALS course, as a cohort and by professional group, and their evaluations of different aspects of the course; and to describe the educational modifications introduced to the course since its introduction in Israel based on our teaching experience.

Methods: The study sample consisted of physicians, nurses and paramedics from all areas of Israel who registered for PALS between January 2001 and December 2003.

Efficacy of postexposure immunization with live attenuated varicella vaccine in the household setting--a pilot study.

The aim of the present study was to examine the efficacy of postexposure vaccination with Varilrix in the household setting. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used. Twenty-two children received the varicella vaccine and 20, a placebo.

The impact of terrorism on children: a two-year experience.

Objectives: To review and analyze the cumulative two-year, Israeli experience with medical care for children victims of terrorism during the prehospital and hospital phases.

Methods: Data were collected from the: (1) Magen David Adom National Emergency Medical System Registry (prehospital phase); (2) medical records from the authors' institutions (pediatric triage); and (3) Israel Trauma Registry (injury characteristics and utilization of in-hospital resources). Statistical analyses were performed as appropriate.