Recognizing the future leaders of pediatric infectious diseases is fundamental to safeguarding tomorrow's driving force in innovation. This collection will showcase the high-quality work of internationally recognized researchers in the early stages of their careers. We aim to highlight research by leading scientists of the future across the entire breadth of pediatric infectious diseases, and present advances in theory, experiment and methodology with applications to compelling problems. All Rising Star researchers will be suggested by established Editors within our board in recognition of their influence on the future directions in their respective fields. While future innovations in pediatric infectious diseases are yet to be discovered, this Research Topic will give us a hint at whom to follow.

Centro de Estudios en Infectología Pediátrica

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Frontiers in Pediatrics

Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Rising Stars in Pediatric Infectious Diseases

BackgroundStaphylococcus aureus infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations worldwide. The Staphylo Research Network conducted an extensive study on pediatric patients across Colombia from 2018 to 2021. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of S. aureus in this patient group.</sec>MethodsWe analyzed S. aureus isolates from WHONET-reporting centers. An “event” was a positive culture isolation in a previously negative individual after 2 weeks. We studied center characteristics, age distribution, infection type, and antibiotic susceptibilities, comparing methicillin sensitive (MSSA) and resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates.</sec>ResultsIsolates from 20 centers across 7 Colombian cities were included. Most centers (80%) served both adults and children, with 55% offering oncology services and 85% having a PICU. We registered 8,157 S. aureus culture isolations from 5,384 events (3,345 MSSA and 1,961 MRSA) in 4,821 patients, with a median age of 5 years. Blood (26.2%) and skin/soft tissue (18.6%) were the most common infection sources. Most isolates per event remained susceptible to oxacillin (63.2%), clindamycin (94.3%), and TMP-SMX (98.3%). MRSA prevalence varied by city (<0.001), with slightly higher rates observed in exclusively pediatric hospitals. In contrast, the MRSA rate was somewhat lower in centers with Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). MRSA was predominantly isolated from osteoarticular infections and multiple foci, while MSSA was more frequently associated with recurrent infections compared to MRSA.</sec>ConclusionsThis is the largest study of pediatric S. aureus infections in Colombia. We found MSSA predominance, but resistance have important regional variations. S. aureus remains susceptible to other commonly used antibiotics such as TMP-SMX and clindamycin. Ongoing monitoring of S. aureus infections is vital for understanding their behavior in children. Prospective studies within the Staphylored LATAM are underway for a more comprehensive clinical and genetic characterization.</sec>

Background: Staphylococcus aureus infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations worldwide. The Staphylo Research Network conducted an extensive study on pediatric patients across Colombia from 2018 to 2021. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of S. aureus in this patient group.Methods: We analyzed S. aureus isolates from WHONET-reporting centers. An “event” was a positive culture isolation in a previously negative individual after 2 weeks. We studied center characteristics, age distribution, infection type, and antibiotic susceptibilities, comparing methicillin sensitive (MSSA) and resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates.Results: Isolates from 20 centers across 7 Colombian cities were included. Most centers (80%) served both adults and children, with 55% offering oncology services and 85% having a PICU. We registered 8,157 S. aureus culture isolations from 5,384 events (3,345 MSSA and 1,961 MRSA) in 4,821 patients, with a median age of 5 years. Blood (26.2%) and skin/soft tissue (18.6%) were the most common infection sources. Most isolates per event remained susceptible to oxacillin (63.2%), clindamycin (94.3%), and TMP-SMX (98.3%). MRSA prevalence varied by city (&lt;0.001), with slightly higher rates observed in exclusively pediatric hospitals. In contrast, the MRSA rate was somewhat lower in centers with Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP). MRSA was predominantly isolated from osteoarticular infections and multiple foci, while MSSA was more frequently associated with recurrent infections compared to MRSA.Conclusions: This is the largest study of pediatric S. aureus infections in Colombia. We found MSSA predominance, but resistance have important regional variations. S. aureus remains susceptible to other commonly used antibiotics such as TMP-SMX and clindamycin. Ongoing monitoring of S. aureus infections is vital for understanding their behavior in children. Prospective studies within the Staphylored LATAM are underway for a more comprehensive clinical and genetic characterization.

Epidemiological and microbiological characteristics of S. aureus pediatric infections in Colombia 2018–2021, a national multicenter study (Staphylored Colombia)

IntroductionBone and Joint Infections (BJI) have high morbidity. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased. Culture-based diagnosis has difficult to recovering fastidious bacteria and detecting polymicrobial infections, molecular methods offer a promising improvement for the diagnosis of BJI with reduced time to result. The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between culture results and the Biofire joint infection panel (BJIP) in a cohort of pediatric patients with BJI.</sec>Materials and methodsDescriptive study. Patients admitted with probable o confirmed BJI between July 1, 2019 and February 28, 2021 at HOMI. Blood cultures, synovial and bone fluid samples were taken. Samples were kept at −70 °C. On September 2022, the panel was performed.</sec>Results32 patients were included. The average age was 83m (RIQ: 32–145). 23 (71.8%) patients had a positive culture. The most frequent microorganism were S. aureus 19 (83%), 11/19 (57.9%) Staphylococci isolates were MRSA. 24/32 (75%) were positive by panel, 20 positive detections were concordant with culture, there were 6 additional isolates by panel (2 S. aureus, 2 S. pyogenes, 1 K. kingae and 1 C. albicans), three microorganisms were isolated in culture but not in the panel. (2 S. aureus and 1 S. agalactiae). Two patients with coinfection were detected. All MRSA were detected by culture and panel. In 26 (81.3%) patients the etiology was documented by any method.</sec>ConclusionThese results showed a moderate level of agreement between BJIP and culture (κ = 0.47). The panel allowed the detection of fastidious bacteria including K. kingae and polymicrobial samples. There was a very good level of agreement between the panel and culture for the MRSA detection (κ = 1).</sec>

Introduction: Bone and Joint Infections (BJI) have high morbidity. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has increased. Culture-based diagnosis has difficult to recovering fastidious bacteria and detecting polymicrobial infections, molecular methods offer a promising improvement for the diagnosis of BJI with reduced time to result. The aim of the study was to determine the correlation between culture results and the Biofire joint infection panel (BJIP) in a cohort of pediatric patients with BJI.Materials and methods: Descriptive study. Patients admitted with probable o confirmed BJI between July 1, 2019 and February 28, 2021 at HOMI. Blood cultures, synovial and bone fluid samples were taken. Samples were kept at −70 °C. On September 2022, the panel was performed.Results: 32 patients were included. The average age was 83m (RIQ: 32–145). 23 (71.8%) patients had a positive culture. The most frequent microorganism were S. aureus 19 (83%), 11/19 (57.9%) Staphylococci isolates were MRSA. 24/32 (75%) were positive by panel, 20 positive detections were concordant with culture, there were 6 additional isolates by panel (2 S. aureus, 2 S. pyogenes, 1 K. kingae and 1 C. albicans), three microorganisms were isolated in culture but not in the panel. (2 S. aureus and 1 S. agalactiae). Two patients with coinfection were detected. All MRSA were detected by culture and panel. In 26 (81.3%) patients the etiology was documented by any method.Conclusion: These results showed a moderate level of agreement between BJIP and culture (κ = 0.47). The panel allowed the detection of fastidious bacteria including K. kingae and polymicrobial samples. There was a very good level of agreement between the panel and culture for the MRSA detection (κ = 1).

Correlation between the results of cultures and the molecular BIOFIRE® joint infection panel in a cohort of pediatric patients with bone and joint infections in Bogotá, Colombia

BackgroundHuman adenovirus (HAdV) infections in children can lead to profound pulmonary injury and are frequently associated with severe complications, particularly in cases concomitant with plastic bronchitis. Managing this condition presents significant challenges and carries an exceptionally high fatality rate. Regrettably, there are currently no specific antiviral agents that have demonstrated efficacy in treating severe adenovirus pneumonia in children.</sec>Case presentationWe report a 10-month-old infant suffering from severe adenovirus pneumonia combined with plastic bronchitis (PB). He received intravenous ribavirin combined with recombinant human interferon α1b (INFα1b) aerosol inhalation and his condition eventually improved. No side effects occurred during the treatment, and the long-term prognosis was favorable.</sec>ConclusionIn this case, the combination therapy of intravenous ribavirin and INFα1b seems to have contributed to the resolution of illness and may be considered for similar cases until stronger evidence is generated.</sec>

Background: Human adenovirus (HAdV) infections in children can lead to profound pulmonary injury and are frequently associated with severe complications, particularly in cases concomitant with plastic bronchitis. Managing this condition presents significant challenges and carries an exceptionally high fatality rate. Regrettably, there are currently no specific antiviral agents that have demonstrated efficacy in treating severe adenovirus pneumonia in children.Case presentation: We report a 10-month-old infant suffering from severe adenovirus pneumonia combined with plastic bronchitis (PB). He received intravenous ribavirin combined with recombinant human interferon α1b (INFα1b) aerosol inhalation and his condition eventually improved. No side effects occurred during the treatment, and the long-term prognosis was favorable.Conclusion: In this case, the combination therapy of intravenous ribavirin and INFα1b seems to have contributed to the resolution of illness and may be considered for similar cases until stronger evidence is generated.

Combined intravenous ribavirin and recombinant human interferon α1b aerosol inhalation for adenovirus pneumonia with plastic bronchitis in children: a case report and review of literature