Vaccination with the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus viral replicon vaccine induces NP-based T-cell activation and antibodies possessing Fc-mediated effector functions.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV; family Nairoviridae) is a tick-borne pathogen that frequently causes lethal disease in humans. CCHFV has a wide geographic distribution, and cases have been reported in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Availability of a safe and efficacious vaccine is critical for restricting outbreaks and preventing disease in endemic countries. We previously developed a virus-like replicon particle (VRP) vaccine that provides complete protection against homologous and heterologous lethal CCHFV challenge in mice after a single dose. However, the immune responses induced by this vaccine are not well characterized, and correlates of protection remain unknown. Here we comprehensively characterized the kinetics of cell-mediated and humoral immune responses in VRP-vaccinated mice, and demonstrate that they predominantly target the nucleoprotein (NP). NP antibodies are not associated with protection through neutralizing activity, but VRP vaccination results in NP antibodies possessing Fc-mediated antibody effector functions, such as complement activation (ADCD) and antibody-mediated cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). This suggests that Fc-mediated effector functions may contribute to this vaccine's efficacy.

Anesthetic management of rhinoorbitocerebral mucormycosis; Focus on challenges.

Mucormycosis is a progressive, opportunistic fungal infection with a high risk of mortality. Also mucormycosis may attack any organ system and may be accompanied by hemodynamic instability and difficult airway management. This study aimed to evaluate the anesthetic management of patients undergoing surgical resection for rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROC). The study evaluated 12 patients that underwent surgical resection for ROC mucormycosis under general anesthesia. Demographic characteristics, hemodynamic parameters, invasive monitoring methods, surgical procedures, hospital records, and mortality rates were reviewed for each patient. The patients had a median age of 58 (range, 5-86) years. Two patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of II while the remaining 10 patients had a score of III. Eleven (91.7%) patients had a diagnosis of rhino-orbital mucormycosis and 1 (8.3%) patient was diagnosed with ROC mucormycosis. Most common comorbidity was DM (n=8), followed by hematological malignancy (n=4), solid organ malignancy (n=3), and kidney transplantation (n=2). Invasive arterial monitoring was performed in 7 and central venous cannulation was performed in 5 patients. Six patients were transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the mortality rate was 25% with an average mortality time was 7 days in 3 cases. In cases of ROC mucormycosis, necessary precautions should be taken for the difficult airway caused by fungal debris in the oropharyngeal region and supraglottic edema. Postoperative ICU is important due to comorbidities and fungal infection with high mortality.

Sirenomelia in an infant of a diabetic mother. A case report.

Sirenomelia is a rare fatal condition characterized by fusion of the lower limbs. Its etiology is unknown. It is believed that there is a connection between sirenomelia and maternal diabetes but this association has not been firmly established. Here a case of a sirenomeliform infant born to a diabetic mother is reported.

Fatal mumps myocarditis.

The case of a 9 year old boy with acute renal failure and myocarditis as complications of mumps is reported. The cardiac rhythm and conduction disorders which appeared after admission were refractory to treatment and the outcome was fatal. On necropsy, minimal interstitial nephritis and myocarditis were seen, confirming the clinical diagnosis.