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Pediatric Reports
Special Issues
Infectious Diseases in Children and Adolescents
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Infectious Diseases in Children and Adolescents

A special issue of Pediatric Reports (ISSN 2036-7503).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2026 | Viewed by 5502

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Désirée Caselli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Giovanni XXIII Children Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico, Bari, Italy
Interests: pediatrics; infectious disease; antimicrobial stewardship; infection in immunocompromised host
Dr. Melodie Olivia Loredana Rosa Aricò

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatrics, G. B. Morgagni—L. Pierantoni Hospital, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy
Interests: pediatrics; infectious disease; antimicrobial stewardship; critical care medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

(1) In the post-COVID-19 era, epidemiology and some major features of several infectious diseases in children changed remarkably. Specialists and non-specialists should be aware of such changes in order to behave more and more appropriately in diagnosing, treating, and counseling in this field.

(2) Provide and update written by a skilled specialist in pediatric infectious disease

(3) In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  1. Invasive bacterial infection in children in post-COVID-19 era;
  2. Viral infections in post-COVID-19 era;
  3. Multiplex diagnosis in respiratory infections;
  4. Multiplex diagnosis in gastrointestinal infections;
  5. Soft tissue infections;
  6. Prenatal infections;
  7. HIV;
  8. HCV;
  9. Streptococcus pyogenes with special interest to indication to treatment;
  10. Antimicrobial resistance of mycoplasma pneumoniae;
  11. Antibiotics: stewardship and update;
  12. TB

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Désirée Caselli
Dr. Melodie Olivia Loredana Rosa Aricò
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pediatric Reports is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pediatric infectious diseases
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • diagnostic approaches
  • invasive bacterial infections
  • emerging infectious diseases
  • post-COVID-19 era

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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13 pages, 760 KB  
Article
Modified Tal (M-Tal) Score as a Predictor of Outcomes in Infants with Bronchiolitis: A Prospective Study
by Ipshita Magh, Rashmi Ranjan Das, Ritwick Mohapatra, Swarupa Panda and Nirmal Kumar Mohakud
Pediatr. Rep. 2026, 18(3), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric18030069 - 17 May 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants, and early prediction of disease severity and clinical outcomes remains challenging. The Modified Tal (M-Tal) score is a clinical tool used to assess severity; however, its utility in predicting outcomes requires further validation. [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants, and early prediction of disease severity and clinical outcomes remains challenging. The Modified Tal (M-Tal) score is a clinical tool used to assess severity; however, its utility in predicting outcomes requires further validation. Methods: This prospective study was conducted over a 2-year period at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Infants aged 1–12 months diagnosed with moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis were enrolled. Demographic, clinical, management, and outcome data were recorded. Results: A total of 120 infants were included (mean age 7.7 months; 61.7% males). Moderate bronchiolitis accounted for 81.7% of cases. The mean duration of illness at admission was 4.1 days. Severe bronchiolitis was associated with significantly longer duration of oxygen therapy (p = 0.034) and hospital stay (p = 0.028). Each one-point increase in M-Tal score was associated with an increase of 0.69 days in hospital stay (p = 0.012), 9.8 h in oxygen requirement (p < 0.01), and 0.32 days in PICU stay (p = 0.04). Conclusions: The M-Tal score at admission is a useful predictor of clinical outcomes in infants with moderate-to-severe bronchiolitis. Higher scores are associated with increased need for respiratory support and prolonged hospitalization, supporting its role in early risk stratification and management planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Children and Adolescents)
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7 pages, 484 KB  
Case Report
Pneumococcal Sepsis Revealing Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Sjögren’s Syndrome Overlap: A Case Report
by Francesco Accomando, Vittorio Albertazzi, Francesco Girelli, Michela Biscarini, Melodie O. Aricò and Enrico Valletta
Pediatr. Rep. 2026, 18(2), 51; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric18020051 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may present with heterogeneous clinical manifestations in pediatric patients. Although infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE, severe bacterial infections rarely represent the presenting clinical event leading to diagnosis. Case description: We report the [...] Read more.
Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may present with heterogeneous clinical manifestations in pediatric patients. Although infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in SLE, severe bacterial infections rarely represent the presenting clinical event leading to diagnosis. Case description: We report the case of a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with SLE with Sjögren’s syndrome overlap who presented with pneumococcal sepsis. The patient was admitted with high-grade fever and facial swelling, and blood cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. Although an initial clinical response to antibiotic therapy was observed, fever subsequently recurred, accompanied by persistent systemic symptoms and progressive laboratory abnormalities. Further investigations revealed hematologic abnormalities, serosal involvement, renal disease, and a characteristic autoantibody profile. The patient fulfilled the 2019 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SLE after comprehensive autoimmune evaluation. The overlap with Sjögren’s syndrome was supported by the autoantibody profile and imaging findings involving the parotid glands. Following treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone pulses, oral prednisone, hydroxychloroquine, and mycophenolate mofetil, the patient showed rapid clinical improvement and sustained remission. Conclusions: This case highlights that severe invasive bacterial infection may occasionally be the clinical circumstance that leads to the diagnosis of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Persistent systemic inflammation or evolving multisystem involvement despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy should prompt consideration of an underlying autoimmune disease, even in patients without a prior history of immune dysfunction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Children and Adolescents)
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8 pages, 2320 KB  
Case Report
Basal Ganglia Ischemic Stroke as Sentinel Sign for Pediatric Tuberculous Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Child: A Case Report
by Albina Ponosheci Biçaku, Kurtesh Sherifi, Ardian Biçaku and Sadije Namani
Pediatr. Rep. 2026, 18(2), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric18020044 - 18 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe manifestation of tuberculosis in children, with high mortality rates and long-term neurological sequelae. Early diagnosis is challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and insidious onset. Case Presentation: An 8-year-old previously healthy male, fully vaccinated, presented [...] Read more.
Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe manifestation of tuberculosis in children, with high mortality rates and long-term neurological sequelae. Early diagnosis is challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms and insidious onset. Case Presentation: An 8-year-old previously healthy male, fully vaccinated, presented with a two-week history of fever, headache, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis, elevated protein, and low glucose levels, while multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for bacteria and viruses yielded negative results. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed mild ventricular dilation and pansinusitis. Empirical antibacterial and antiviral therapy were initiated; however, the patient subsequently experienced neurological deterioration, including cranial nerve deficits and hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated acute infarctions of the basal ganglia, raising suspicion for TBM. Repeated CSF sampling and Xpert MTB/RIF assay confirmed infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculosis treatment was initiated in combination with adjunctive corticosteroids, anticonvulsant and anticoagulant therapies, and supportive care, including neurosurgical intervention for hydrocephalus. After 16 months of treatment, the patient showed clinical improvement but sustained left-sided hemiparesis, visual impairment, and cognitive deficits. Conclusions: This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of pediatric TBM in immunocompetent and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated children, particularly in the presence of initially negative microbiological findings. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of clinical suspicion and the crucial supportive role of neuroimaging findings, as well as the earlier initiation of empirical TB therapy especially when epidemiological plausibility exists. Early recognition and intervention remain critical to reducing morbidity and mortality associated with this devastating disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Children and Adolescents)
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12 pages, 994 KB  
Case Report
Clinical Experience with Inosine Pranobex in Pediatric Acute Respiratory Infections with Comorbidities: A Case Series from a Specialised Centre
by Peter Kunč, Jaroslav Fábry, Katarína Ištvánková, Renata Péčová and Miloš Jeseňák
Pediatr. Rep. 2025, 17(6), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric17060123 - 10 Nov 2025
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Abstract
Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) pose a significant clinical challenge in paediatric populations, especially in children with comorbidities who may exhibit underlying immune dysregulation. Inosine pranobex (IP) is an immunomodulatory agent that enhances T-lymphocyte and Natural Killer (NK) cell function, offering a targeted [...] Read more.
Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) pose a significant clinical challenge in paediatric populations, especially in children with comorbidities who may exhibit underlying immune dysregulation. Inosine pranobex (IP) is an immunomodulatory agent that enhances T-lymphocyte and Natural Killer (NK) cell function, offering a targeted therapeutic rationale for such cases. Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively describe the clinical characteristics, immunological profiles, and outcomes of paediatric patients with complex, PCR-confirmed viral ARIs and significant comorbidities, for whom adjunctive therapy with IP was initiated based on clinical judgment. Methods: This retrospective case series analysed data from 14 paediatric patients hospitalised at a specialised centre (National Institute of Paediatric Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases in Dolny Smokovec, Slovakia). Cases were selected based on PCR-confirmed viral ARI, a history of recurrent infections, significant comorbidities, and initiation of IP therapy. The indication for IP was guided by the treating physician in cases of severe, prolonged, or recurrent disease course, where immune dysregulation was suspected, often supported by prior immunophenotyping. Results: A frequent observation in this cohort was the presence of baseline cellular immune alterations with a frequent observation of baseline cellular immune alterations, most notably the depletion of natural killer (NK) cells. NK cell depletion was identified in half of the patients (7/14). Following the initiation of treatment regimens that included adjunctive IP, clinical stabilisation or improvement was observed in all 14 patients included in the study. The therapy was well tolerated, with no reported adverse events attributable to IP. Conclusions: This case series highlights the common presence of cellular immune alterations in children with complex ARIs. While the observational nature of this study precludes any conclusions about causality, the favourable clinical course, safety profile, and strong immunological rationale support the need for prospective controlled trials to evaluate the role of IP in this specific high-risk paediatric population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Infectious Diseases in Children and Adolescents)
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