In the absence of antiretroviral therapy, most HIV-1 infections in children are due to mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. In settings where maternal HIV testing and treatment are available most infections occur during adolescence (see Chapter 109 )…
The epidemiology of infection with HIV type 1 (HIV) in infants, children, and adolescents has evolved dramatically since the first case of pediatric HIV infection was described in 1983. This evolution is due in part to improvements in the management…
Corticosteroids play a key role in the management of many neoplastic, autoimmune, allergic, and autoinflammatory disorders. Corticosteroids are used for their lympholytic and antiinflammatory effects during infection, for example, to prevent airway obstruction during croup or Epstein-Barr virus−associated tonsillitis, or…
Biologic response modifying drugs (BRMs) are substances that interact with the host immune system and modify it. BRMs include cytokines, chemokines, and antibodies that occur naturally in the body to protect against infections. Synthetic BRMs generally target or mimic natural…
Acknowledgment The authors recognize previous contributions of Janet A. Englund and Jane L. Burns to this chapter. Sickle Hemoglobinopathy The decrease in splenic function in children with hemoglobin SS (Hb SS) disease results in increased susceptibility to fulminant bacterial infection,…
This chapter focuses on the infectious complications of primary immunodeficiencies in which lymphocyte-mediated or innate cellular immunity mediated by interferons (IFNs) is compromised. Genetic disorders of cell-mediated immunity that are mainly associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome are discussed in Chapter…
Acknowledgement Substantial material from E. Stephen Buescher’s chapter in Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases , fifth edition, has been used. Phagocytes perform critical roles in human host defense. Polymorphonuclear phagocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) defend against microbial invasion…
Acknowledgement Substantial material from Dr. Michael Frank’s chapter in Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, fifth edition, has been used and he is therefore granted appropriate authorship. Dr. Frank was a giant in the field of complement and a…
Primary antibody deficiencies are the most common inherited immunodeficiencies. Secondary antibody deficiencies are also increasingly common complications of some chronic diseases and pharmacotherapy. Antibody deficiency disorders are characterized by reduced or absent serum immunoglobulins, recurrent and severe infections caused by…
Acknowledgment Substantial material from E. Stephen Buescher’s chapter in the previous edition has been used. Although primary immunodeficiency disorders are uncommon, referral for evaluation of these conditions in children with frequent infections is common. Epidemiologic studies show that children aged…