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The Independent
an hour ago
- Health
- The Independent
Child dies from brain-eating amoeba in South Carolina
A pediatric patient in a South Carolina hospital has died from a rare brain-eating amoeba. The Prisma Health Children's Hospital patient recently died after contracting Naegleria fowleri, which infects the brain and destroys tissue, Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician Anna Kathryn Burch said Tuesday. The hospital declined to share more details about the patient, and officials have not said where the infection occurred. State authorities say there is no broader risk to the public. A case of Naegleria fowleri was confirmed in South Carolina during the week of July 7, according to the state's Department of Public Health. There have been only 167 reported cases of the infection in the US between 1962 and 2024, the CDC reports. However, just four people have survived the infection. The CDC does not track infections from the amoeba, nor does it provide information about or comment on individual cases, DPS told WIS in a statement. Naegleria fowleri naturally lives in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, hot springs, and poorly maintained or unchlorinated pools. It thrives in temperatures between 80 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit and is more prevalent in the warmer months, especially in southern states. People become infected when contaminated water enters the body through the nose, typically while swimming or diving in warm freshwater. Once in the nose, the amoeba travels to the brain, where it causes a severe and often fatal brain infection called primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Naegleria fowleri cannot infect a person if the water is swallowed, and it does not spread from person to person. This isn't the first death involving Naegleria fowleri this year. In May, a previously-healthy 71-year-old woman from Texas died from an infection caused by the amoeba after using tap water from her RV in a nasal irrigation device. Infection is extremely rare otherwise - but it is almost always fatal. Symptoms usually begin within one to 12 days of exposure and may include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, seizures, and altered mental state. To reduce risk, experts advise avoiding freshwater activities during high temperatures, using nose clips, and avoiding putting your head underwater in warm freshwater.
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Loma Linda Children's Hospital doctors note spike in Valley Fever cases
Health officials say number of Valley Fever cases in children are rising in Inland Empire Health officials say number of Valley Fever cases in children are rising in Inland Empire Health officials say number of Valley Fever cases in children are rising in Inland Empire Health officials at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital say that they have noticed a spike in pediatric cases of Valley Fever in recent months. Valley Fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection that is caused by inhaling spores of the Coccidioides fungus, which lives in the soil. It is typically found in the soil of arid and semi-arid climates in both North and South America. Symptoms usually mimic those of the flu, doctors said. From January to April, a report from the California Department of Public Health shows more than 4,000 cases, and Loma Linda doctors say that youth cases are up from the average, with five to 10 cases per month since the start of the year. "While many people experience mild or no symptoms, it can cause serious respiratory illness and, in some cases, spread to other parts of the body," said a statement from hospital officials. The fungus can be spread when soil is disturbed and one breathes in dust. In severe cases, the infection can lead to chronic lung disease or disseminated disease, meaning it spreads to other parts of the body. Doctors say that it is not contagious, however, and cannot be spread between people or animals.
Medscape
12-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Pediatric HS Linked to Obesity, Acne, Other Comorbidities
A meta-analysis of 19 studies found that pediatric patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) show an increased rate of medical and psychiatric comorbidities, including obesity. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 19 observational studies (14 US studies), which included 17,267 pediatric patients with HS (76.7% girls; mean age, 12-17 years) and 8,259,944 pediatric patients without HS. The primary outcome was the prevalence of comorbidities in pediatric patients with HS. The main categories included metabolic, endocrinologic, inflammatory, psychiatric, dermatologic, and genetic comorbidities. TAKEAWAY: In the meta-analysis, the most prevalent condition in patients with HS was acne vulgaris (43%), followed by obesity (37%), anxiety (18%), and hirsutism (14%). Obesity showed moderate certainty association with HS in children, with prevalence ratios ranging up to 2.48, odds ratios ranging from 1.27 to 2.68, and hazard ratios up to 1.52 ( P < .001). < .001). Researchers also found a probable association between depression and HS (moderate certainty), with all studies reporting a higher incidence among patients with HS. An association with diabetes was reported in three studies (low certainty). IN PRACTICE: 'Given the significant risk of chronic comorbidities and negative sequelae in pediatric HS, our findings highlight a need for comprehensive comorbidity screening clinical guidelines in this population and emphasize the involvement of multidisciplinary teams to achieve this,' the study authors wrote. SOURCE: The study was led by Samiha T. Mohsen, MSc, University of Toronto, Toronto, and was published online on June 11 in JAMA Dermatology . LIMITATIONS: Several of the included studies were graded as low quality, and most studies did not compare the risks of comorbidities between the two groups. Most of the studies were from the US, which could limit generalizability. Significant heterogeneity was reported across the studies. DISCLOSURES: The funding source was not disclosed. Three authors reported receiving grants, personal fees, and honoraria from multiple pharmaceutical companies, including AbbVie, Novartis, UCB, Incyte, Novartis, Celltrion, Leo Pharma, Pfizer, Sanofi, and the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance. Other authors reported no conflicts of interest.
