Objective: A significant proportion of the infants developed recurrent wheezing after an acute bronchiolitis (AB) event. Recent studies have demonstrated protection for recurrent wheeze and lower respiratory morbidity in infants treated with azithromycin during an acute respiratory wheezing. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that administration of azithromycin during an AB event reduces subsequent wheezing and hospital re-admissions. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, including unpublished data of wheezing and hospitalizations during the initial 6 months following admission for acute viral bronchiolitis. The study was performed in a tertiary University hospital. Infants (<12 months of age) hospitalized with AB were randomized to receive either azithromycin or placebo, administered orally, for 7 days. Families were contacted by telephone at 3 and 6 months after the initial acute event and answered to a standardized questionnaire in order to identify recurrent wheezing and hospital readmissions. Results: One hundred and four patients were included (Azithromycin group, n= 50; placebo group, n=54). Considering the total of patients contacted 3 months after hospitalization (n=70), the recurrence rate of wheezing in the azithromycin group was significantly lower than in the placebo group (RR = 0.48; CI = 0.24-0.98; p = 0.038). Conclusion: Azithromycin significantly reduces the risk of subsequent wheezing between 0 and 3 months after hospital admission due to acute bronchiolitis irrespective of the presence of respiratory syncytial virus.

ObjectiveWe evaluated the association between vitamin D levels and nutritional status, pulmonary function and pulmonary exacerbations in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis.Methods25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels of 37 children and adolescents were retrospectively evaluated. Pulmonary function, body mass index, height for age, and pulmonary exacerbations episodes were associated with vitamin D levels divided into two groups: sufficient (≥30ng/mL) and hypovitaminosis (<30ng/mL).ResultsHypovitaminosis D (25(OH)D <30ng/mL) was observed in 54% of subjects. The mean level of 25(OH)D was 30.53±12.14ng/mL. Pulmonary function and nutritional status were not associated with vitamin D levels. Pulmonary exacerbations over a 2-year period (p=0.007) and the period from measurement up to the end of the follow-up period (p=0.002) were significantly associated with vitamin D levels.ConclusionHypovitaminosis D was associated with higher rates of pulmonary exacerbations in this sample of children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis. Hypovitaminosis D should be further studied as a marker of disease severity in cystic fibrosis. Further prospective and randomized studies are necessary to investigate causality of this association.

No abstract

Objectives: To characterize the main identified mutations on cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in a group of children and adolescents at a cystic fibrosis center and its association with the clinical and laboratorial characteristics. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study including patients with cystic fibrosis who had two alleles identified with CFTR mutation. Clinical, anthropometrical, laboratorial and pulmonary function (spirometry) data were collected from patients’ records in charts and described with the results of the sample genotyping. Results: 42 patients with cystic fibrosis were included in the study. The most frequent mutation was F508del, covering 60 alleles (71.4%). The second most common mutation was G542X (six alleles, 7.1%), followed by N1303K and R1162X mutations (both with four alleles each). Three patients (7.14%) presented type III and IV mutations, and 22 patients (52.38%) presented homozygous mutation for F508del. Thirty three patients (78.6%) suffered of pancreatic insufficiency, 26.2% presented meconium ileus, and 16.7%, nutritional deficit. Of the patients in the study, 59.52% would be potential candidates for the use of CFTR-modulating drugs. Conclusions: The mutations of CFTR identified more frequently were F508del and G542X. These are type II and I mutations, respectively. Along with type III, they present a more severe cystic fibrosis phenotype. More than half of the sample (52.38%) presented homozygous mutation for F508del, that is, patients who could be treated with Lumacaftor/Ivacaftor. Approximately 7% of the patients (7.14%) presented type III and IV mutations, therefore becoming candidates for the treatment with Ivacaftor.