Varicella (chickenpox) caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a highly contagious pediatric disease. While it typically manifests as a mild disease, complications leading to hospitalization are not uncommon. Knowing the current disease burden, seasonality and risk groups is pivotal for evidence-based decisions on the introduction of a varicella vaccine.

A 15-year-old male presented with acute chest pain and was diagnosed with myopericarditis due to acute Q fever, detected by cell-free DNA method. Despite taking a 2-week course of doxycycline, myopericarditis recurred after 6 months. In the absence of an alternative diagnosis, he began treatment for possible chronic Q fever with doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine and has not had further recurrence.

Kingella kingae is a cause of bacteremia, endocarditis, and the leading cause of osteoarticular infections between 6 and 48 months of life. We report on a rare case of K. kingae meningitis in the absence of endocarditis and immune deficiency in a 26-month-old boy emphasizing the distinct genomic determinants of the strain which may be of importance to the pathogenesis of the disease.

Regarding nirsevimab immunization status, among 1085 infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis, the odds of hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis were 4.7 times higher for nonimmunized children. Immunized infants were less likely to require oxygen supplementation (20.2% vs. 30.6%, P = 0.02) and had a 1-day shorter hospital stay. Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis was less frequent and less severe in infants immunized with nirsevimab.

Clear guidelines have not been established about the utility of TORCH serology testing in women for whom TORCH infection is suspected according to clinical and laboratory manifestations during pregnancy. We aimed to compare rates of TORCH infections [specifically cytomegalovirus (CMV), Toxoplasma and rubella] in women who underwent TORCH serology testing due to maternal- versus fetal-related indications.

This study conducted in Madrid (Spain) between 2018 and 2023 shows a significant decrease in the pediatric bacterial community-acquired pneumonia cases during the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a notable postpandemic increase surpassing prepandemic incidence. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains predominant, with an increasing prevalence of serotype 3, while Streptococcus pyogenes was the second most common pathogen.

Pediatric post-COVID syndrome (pPCS) affects a notable number of children. This study aims to describe its clinical manifestations, biopsychosocial impact and management strategies.

The leading nonhereditary cause of childhood sensorineural hearing loss has been attributed to congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). Sensorineural hearing loss can be unilateral (UHL) or bilateral (BHL), and may be progressive. Our objective was to describe the characteristics, clinical nature and follow-up of ears in cCMV-associated UHL.

Some studies have reported increased infectious morbidity and all-cause mortality risk among infants HIV-exposed uninfected compared with infants HIV-unexposed uninfected. In a retrospective analysis of infants enrolled in the Botswana-based Tshilo Dikotla study, we found no difference in the prevalence of infectious hospitalizations or deaths from any cause in the first year of life by perinatal HIV exposure.

Candida species are the most common cause of invasive fungal disease, and children with hematologic malignancy are at increased risk. Non-albicans Candida (NAC) now account for more than half of all invasive candidiasis (IC) and carry a worse prognosis. We aimed to compare the epidemiology, risk factors, organ dissemination, biomarkers and outcomes in IC based on the species implicated and evaluate trends in antifungal resistance over time.

Ganciclovir and valganciclovir are first-line treatments for cytomegalovirus in immunocompromised children; however, the optimal therapeutic target remains unclear. This review identified 6 studies that showed clearance of cytomegalovirus viremia occurs with a median area under the concentration-time curve (AUC24) between 23 and 70 μg·h/mL, with no clear correlation with efficacy or toxicity.

To assess hearing outcomes at 24 months of age in infants with mild congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, depending on whether they have received antiviral treatment or not.

Salmonella is a rare causative pathogen of osteomyelitis and is commonly detected in patients with sickle cell disease. We described 2 consecutive cases of nontyphoidal Salmonella osteomyelitis identified in immunocompetent children. It is evident that even children without apparent risk factors for immune dysfunctions can be affected, so maintaining clinical suspicion is crucial for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.