-
Wellcome Open Research 2023(StrepA) causes a significant burden of disease globally from superficial infections to invasive disease. It is responsible for over 500,000 deaths each year,...
BACKGROUND
(StrepA) causes a significant burden of disease globally from superficial infections to invasive disease. It is responsible for over 500,000 deaths each year, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Superficial StrepA infections of the skin and pharynx can lead to rheumatic heart disease, the largest cause of StrepA-related deaths in LMIC. StrepA can also asymptomatically colonise normal skin and the pharynx (carriage), potentially increasing infection risk. (SDSE) carriage is also common in LMIC and may interact with StrepA. This study aims to investigate StrepA and SDSE carriage and infection epidemiology, transmission dynamics and naturally acquired immunity within households in The Gambia.
METHODS
A longitudinal household observational cohort study will be conducted over one year. 45 households will be recruited from the urban area of Sukuta, The Gambia, resulting in approximately 450 participants. Households will be visited monthly, and available participants will undergo oropharyngeal and normal skin swabbing. Incident cases of pharyngitis and pyoderma will be captured via active case reporting, with swabs taken from disease sites. Swabs will be cultured for the presence of group A, C and G beta-haemolytic streptococci. Isolates will undergo whole genome sequencing. At each visit, clinical, socio-demographic and social mixing data will be collected. Blood serum will be collected at baseline and final visit. Oral fluid and dried blood spot samples will be collected at each visit. Mucosal and serum anti-StrepA antibody responses will be measured.
OUTCOME
This study will report StrepA and SDSE clinical epidemiology, risk factors, transmission dynamics, and serological responses to carriage and infection. Detailed social mixing behaviour will be combined with phylogenetic relatedness to model the extent of transmission occurring withing and between households. The study will provide data to help meet global strategic StrepA research goals.
PubMed: 37954923
DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.18716.2 -
Microscopy Research and Technique Sep 2023The present study was carried out to study the morphology of the goat's soft palate and palatine tonsil by gross anatomy, morphometry, light and scanning electron...
The present study was carried out to study the morphology of the goat's soft palate and palatine tonsil by gross anatomy, morphometry, light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Twelve heads of normal adult (18-24 months) apparently healthy goats of both sexes were collected from local commercial slaughterhouses in Qena Governorate, Egypt. The oral cavity was dissected, and samples were collected for both light and SEM. The soft palate of the goat formed the caudal continuation of the hard palate. It was relatively short, it extended from the level of the caudal border of the last upper molar tooth to terminate caudally against the base of the epiglottis. The oral mucous membrane of the soft palate was covered by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The lamina propria and submucosa contained connective tissue fibers, diffuse and nodular lymphatic tissue, striated muscle fibers, and a large number of mucous and serous palatine glands. By SEM, the ventral surface had several rounded openings occupied by flower-like structures. These openings represented the entrances to the palatine glands. The palatine tonsil was large and protruded from a fossa in the lateral wall of the oropharynx. It had 2-3 elongated irregular openings that lead to the underlying crypts. These crypts were well-developed and lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The epithelium of the tonsillar crypts directly covered lymphoid tissue and was infiltrated by lymphocytes. Tonsillar glands of pure mucous type were demonstrated. In conclusion, the study provides the basic morphological features of soft palate, as well as the palatine tonsil of the goat by gross observation, light and SEM. The palatine tonsils of goat were well-developed with extensive crypt system, suggesting their essential role in the immunological response against antigens that enter through the oral cavity. The current findings may be useful to understand the role of the palatine tonsil in immunity and disease pathogenesis. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The study reported the basic morphological features of soft palate and palatine tonsil of goat. The ventral surface of the soft palate had several rounded openings occupied by flower-like structures. The palatine tonsils of goat were well-developed with extensive crypt system. The findings might help to understand the role of the palatine tonsil in immunity and disease pathogenesis.
Topics: Animals; Male; Female; Palatine Tonsil; Goats; Palate, Soft; Mouth Mucosa; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
PubMed: 37191111
DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24346 -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and... May 2024Ixekizumab, an interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitor, exerts its therapeutic effects in psoriasis by inhibiting the interleukin (IL)-17 signaling pathway. Common adverse...
OBJECTIVES
Ixekizumab, an interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitor, exerts its therapeutic effects in psoriasis by inhibiting the interleukin (IL)-17 signaling pathway. Common adverse reactions to ixekizumab include injection site reactions and upper respiratory tract infections (URIs), while occurrences of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and multiple mucosal ulcers are infrequent. We present a case of a 51-year-old man who developed multiple mucosal ulcers after ixekizumab treatment.
METHODS
A 51-year-old man presented to our hospital with a 1-month history of pharyngalgia. The flexible laryngoscope displayed mild hyperemia in the pharyngeal mucosa and tonsils, redness and swelling of the epiglottis, as well as multiple ulcers in the oral cavity, uvula, and epiglottis. These ulcers did not improve with conventional treatment.
RESULTS
Upon evaluation, the ulcers were an immune-related adverse event induced by ixekizumab. Consequently, a decision was made to discontinue the drug and initiate a therapeutic regimen including corticosteroids and thalidomide. Eventually, the patient's symptoms abated.
CONCLUSIONS
Biologics are now becoming increasingly popular in psoriasis. It is vital for clinicians to be aware of this potential adverse event and to identify and intervene early to alleviate patients' suffering.
PubMed: 38742650
DOI: 10.1177/00034894241254431 -
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica Apr 2024Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), that can be found in a wide variety of household products-from disinfectants to medicaments and home... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), that can be found in a wide variety of household products-from disinfectants to medicaments and home fragrances-but also professional products. In pets, cats have long been reported as more sensitive than dogs to QACs; in fact, signs of irritation such as oral ulcerations, stomatitis and pharyngitis can be observed after contact with concentrations of 2% or lower. In a review of 245 cases of BAC exposure in cats, reported by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (United Kingdom) only 1.2% of the cases died or were euthanized. Nevertheless, BAC toxidromes in cats can result in transitory CNS and respiratory distress, as well as severe mucosal and cutaneous lesions. Currently, only a few reports are available concerning BAC poisoning in this species.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 4 month-old kitten presented with severe glossitis, lameness in the hindlimbs and episodes of vomiting and diarrhoea. The cause was unknown until the owners reported use of a BAC-containing mould remover (5%) 4 days later. The patient developed severe oral burns requiring a pharyngeal tube for feeding and severe cutaneous chemical burns. The kitten was managed with supportive therapy and required hospitalization for 10 days. The symptoms disappeared completely 3 weeks after exposure.
CONCLUSIONS
BAC is a very common compound contained in several household and professional products but, to the best of our knowledge, no previous case had been reported in Italy. We hope that this report will help raise awareness on the hazards of BAC products for cats in both domestic and work contexts.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Female; Dogs; Benzalkonium Compounds; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; Disinfectants; Italy
PubMed: 38622748
DOI: 10.1186/s13028-024-00737-x -
The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and... Nov 2023To highlight a case of nasopharyngeal Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma (REAH) in a female patient with chronic nasal block.
OBJECTIVES
To highlight a case of nasopharyngeal Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma (REAH) in a female patient with chronic nasal block.
METHODS
A single case report of a female patient with the diagnosis of REAH, detailing her presenting symptoms, clinical findings, management and follow up.
RESULTS
Histopathological assessment of the excised nasopharyngeal polyp was consistent with a diagnosis of REAH with a discussion on the disease and its current literature reviews.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of REAH within the nasopharynx remain rare with only few cases described in literature, especially in females.
Topics: Humans; Female; Respiratory Mucosa; Nasal Polyps; Nose Diseases; Adenoma; Hamartoma; Nasopharynx; Diagnosis, Differential
PubMed: 36941748
DOI: 10.1177/00034894231159325 -
Surgical Endoscopy Jul 2024Recent studies have reported the therapeutic use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using an ultrathin endoscope for targeting pharyngeal and distal side lesions...
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have reported the therapeutic use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) using an ultrathin endoscope for targeting pharyngeal and distal side lesions in the stenosis or as a less invasive treatment via the nasal route. However, the effectiveness and safety of these treatments remain undetermined. Therefore, this study aimed to review treatment outcomes and discuss the advantages and precautions of the treatments based on our experience.
METHODS
This study included 13 patients with 14 lesions who underwent 14 sessions of upper gastrointestinal ESD using an ultrathin endoscope between December 2021 and August 2023. The outcome measures included lesion background, en bloc resection rate, en bloc complete resection rates, and incidence of adverse events (including post-operative bleeding, intraoperative perforation, and delayed perforation).
RESULTS
The lesions in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum were eight, three, and three, respectively, and the median length (range) of each located lesion was 16.5 (6-26), 17 (9-36), and 10 (4-16) mm, respectively. En bloc resection and en bloc complete resection rates were 100 and 92.9%, respectively. The only adverse event was an intraoperative perforation observed during duodenal ESD, resulting from the assistant's inadvertent expansion of the SOUTEN at the final dissection stage.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that ESD with an ultrathin endoscope effectively reaches lesions in difficult locations and enables treatment within a small working space. Therefore, ESD using an ultrathin endoscope is a treatment option for lesions located distally to gastrointestinal stenosis, highly fibrotic lesions, and duodenal tumors.
Topics: Humans; Endoscopic Mucosal Resection; Male; Retrospective Studies; Female; Aged; Middle Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Stomach Neoplasms; Esophageal Neoplasms; Duodenal Neoplasms; Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal; Treatment Outcome; Equipment Design
PubMed: 38769184
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-024-10882-z -
Medicine Oct 2023Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common clinical emergency, although in most cases, the FB can pass safely through the entire gastrointestinal tract without causing any... (Review)
Review
RATIONALE
Foreign body (FB) ingestion is a common clinical emergency, although in most cases, the FB can pass safely through the entire gastrointestinal tract without causing any damage. However, ingestion of large dentures is very rare and alarming, as it can threaten the intestinal mucosa and cause perforation of the gastrointestinal tract, among other complications.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 64-year-old Chinese male was referred to our hospital for removal of a FB, which was a large denture. Clinical symptoms included chest and upper abdominal pain. He had no cough or dyspnea. Medical history included a recent cerebral infarction, craniocerebral surgery, and being bedridden for a long term.
DIAGNOSES
We initially suspected a single and smooth denture, complicated by pharyngeal and esophageal mucosal injury. Radiographic examination however showed a 70-mm long opaque object located in the middle and upper esophagus, close to the trachea and aorta.
INTERVENTIONS
Multiple dentures and metal hooks were removed via endoscopy using a net, grasping forceps, and rubber jacket.
OUTCOMES
The patient recovered well and experienced no postoperative complications. The patient was discharged 5 days after endoscopic therapy.
LESSONS
Our case showed that endoscopy was effective for the retrieval of an esophageal FB. For sharp FBs, the use of a net and rubber jacket is a good choice. However, we advocate for appropriate surgery in patients in whom endoscopy is not possible after an accurate diagnosis or those with severe complications.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Rubber; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Esophageal Diseases; Foreign Bodies; Eating; Dentures
PubMed: 37832100
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035426 -
Cureus Nov 2023Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by and has a wide clinical spectrum that can range from asymptomatic to disseminated disease. Most women with...
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by and has a wide clinical spectrum that can range from asymptomatic to disseminated disease. Most women with gonorrhea are asymptomatic and if left untreated, it can lead to serious complications like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. Disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI) is usually characterized by dermatitis, tenosynovitis, and septic arthritis but rarely can also cause bacteremia, endovascular infections, osteomyelitis, and meningitis. Gonococcal bacteremia is regarded as a disseminated disease and is typically associated with infection of the mucosal surfaces such as the urethra, endocervix, and pharynx. This report, to the best of our knowledge, presents a case of DGI associated with a mediport catheter in a patient with breast cancer without any history of gonococcal symptoms. She was monogamous and denied any history of sexually transmitted infections. The patient presented with fever and chills associated with pain and purulent discharge from the mediport catheter site. The mediport catheter was removed, and antibiotics were initiated. Both blood and wound cultures grew . She completed a 10-day course of ceftriaxone and improved clinically with complete remission of her symptoms. A review of the literature on the reported cases of DGI associated with bacteremia and endovascular infections is also presented.
PubMed: 38046706
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48180 -
Surgical Endoscopy May 2024Since patients with pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often have multiple pharyngeal lesions, evaluation of pharyngeal lesions before endoscopic resection (ER) is...
INTRODUCTION
Since patients with pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) often have multiple pharyngeal lesions, evaluation of pharyngeal lesions before endoscopic resection (ER) is important. However, detailed endoscopic observation of the entire pharyngeal mucosa under conscious sedation is difficult. We examined the usefulness of endoscopic surveillance with narrow band imaging (NBI) and lugol staining for detection of pharyngeal sublesions during ER for pharyngeal SCC under general anesthesia (endoscopic surveillance during treatment; ESDT).
METHODS
From January 2021 through June 2022, we examined 78 patients who were diagnosed with superficial pharyngeal SCC and underwent ER. They underwent the ESDT and for patients who were diagnosed with new lesions of pharyngeal SCC or high-grade dysplasia (HGD) that were not detected in the endoscopic examination before treatment, ER were performed simultaneously for new lesions and the main lesions. The primary endpoint of this study was the detection rate of new lesions of pharyngeal SCC or HGD in the ESDT.
RESULTS
Fifteen of the 78 patients were diagnosed as having undetected new pharyngeal lesions in the ESDT and 10 (12.8%) (95% CI 6.9-22.2%) were histopathologically confirmed to have new lesions of pharyngeal SCC or HGD. Among the 13 lesions of SCC or HGD, 8 were found by NBI observation; however, 5 were undetectable using NBI but detectable by lugol staining. All of the 13 lesions had endoscopic findings of pink color sign on lugol staining.
CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic surveillance for pharyngeal sublesions during ER for pharyngeal SCC is feasible and useful.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Pharyngeal Neoplasms; Prospective Studies; Aged; Middle Aged; Narrow Band Imaging; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Mucous Membrane; Iodides; Aged, 80 and over; Endoscopic Mucosal Resection; Pharynx
PubMed: 38466423
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-024-10747-5 -
Acta Oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden) Nov 2023Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNCUP) are often treated with extensive radiotherapy (RT). Frequently, the bilateral nodal...
BACKGROUND
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNCUP) are often treated with extensive radiotherapy (RT). Frequently, the bilateral nodal clinical target volume (nCTV) and the volumes of suspected mucosal primary sites (mCTV) of the pharynx and larynx is irradiated. This treatment is effective but toxic. New data suggest that omission of the contralateral nCTV and mCTV, results in few recurrences. The present study explores photon versus proton therapy, in the primary and recurrent setting.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
An analysis of twelve patients previously treated for HNCUP was performed. A fictitious recurrence was defined in patients treated for unilateral disease. Independently a volumetric arc photon plan and an intensity-modulated proton plan was made for all cases and scenarios.
RESULTS
Compared to the standard bilateral treatment this study shows that limiting the target to unilateral nCTV leads to a significant decrease in dysphagia of 18% and 17% and xerostomia of 4.0% and 5% for photon and protons, respectively. Comparing photon RT directly to proton RT shows a small and often insignificant gain, using protons for both bilateral and unilateral targets. Focusing on re-irradiation, benefits from using protons in both the primary setting and at re-irradiation were limited. However, using protons for re-irradiation only leads to a decrease in the tissue volume receiving a specific dose outside the target overlapping region, e.g., V90Gy was 31, 25, and 22 cm for photons-photons, photons-protons, and protons-protons, respectively. For V100Gy of the ipsilateral carotid artery, no differences were observed.
CONCLUSION
Omitting contralateral nCTV irradiation and mCTV irradiation will significantly reduce toxicity. The accumulated high dose volumes can be minimised using protons for re-irradiation. However, the use of protons for primary treatment provides limited benefit in most patients.
Topics: Humans; Protons; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; Radiotherapy Dosage; Neoplasms, Unknown Primary; Proton Therapy; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Photons; Head and Neck Neoplasms
PubMed: 37815913
DOI: 10.1080/0284186X.2023.2263156