Herpesviradae infections in severely burned children

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J81092

Journal:

Burns

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2017 , 43, 5, 987-992

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study analyzed viral testing results, assessed antiviral treatment regimens, and investigated trends in the use of different viral testing methods at one pediatric burn hospital. Burn-related immunosuppression can promote human herpesviridae infections. However, the effect of these infections on morbidity and mortality after pediatric burn injuries is unclear. Pediatric patients with burns covering at least 10 percent of the total body surface area (TBSA) who were admitted between 2010 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. On clinical suspicion of a viral infection, antiviral therapy was initiated. Viral infection was confirmed via Tzanck smear, viral culture, and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Study endpoints were mortality, days of antiviral agent administration, type of viral test used, type of viral infection, and length of hospitalization. Of the 613 patients analyzed, 28 presented with clinically diagnosed viral infections. The use of Tzanck smears decreased over the previous 5 years, whereas PCR and viral cultures have become standard. Patients with viral infections had significantly larger burns; however, length of stay per TBSA burn was comparable. The most commonly detected herpesviridae was herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1. Two patients died due to sepsis, which was accompanied by HSV infection. The mortality rate among all patients was comparable to that in the infected group. Acyclovir was given systemically for 9 days and/or topically for 9 days for HSV. Ganciclovir was prescribed in three cases for cytomegalovirus.

Author(s):