Solitary fibrous tumour of the cheek: An unusual presentation of a rare soft tissue tumour

This case report discusses the unusual presentation and ultrasound features of a solitary fibrous tumour of the face. Solitary fibrous tumour is an uncommon form of soft tissue tumour which, although seen predominantly within the lung pleura, can occur throughout the body in sites such as the peritoneum, mediastinum and head and neck. Ultrasound is an excellent imaging modality in the assessment of soft tissue masses in the head and neck. The ultrasound features demonstrated by this example of solitary fibrous tumour are reviewed. This report also highlights that ultrasound alone is ultimately limited in reaching a definitive diagnosis. The roles of other investigations such as ultrasound-guided biopsy and cross-sectional imaging are discussed.     

Direct costs of a single case of refugee-imported measles in Kentucky

Background

Refugees are highly vulnerable populations with limited access to health care services. The United States accepts 50,000-75,000 refugees for resettlement annually. Despite residing in camps and other locations where vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks, such as measles, occur frequently, refugees are not required to have any vaccinations before they arrive in the United States.

Purpose

We estimated the medical and public-health response costs of a case of measles imported into Kentucky by a refugee.

Methods

The Kentucky Refugee Health Coordinator recorded the time and labor of local, state, and some federal personnel involved in caring for the refugee and implementing the public health response activities. Secondary sources were used to estimate the labor and medical care costs of the event.

Results

The total costs to conduct the response to the disease event were approximately $25,000. All costs were incurred by government, either public health department or federal, because refugee health costs are paid by the federal government and the event response costs are covered by the public health department.

Conclusion

A potentially preventable case of measles that was imported into the United States cost approximately $25,000 for the public health response.

Recommendation

To maintain the elimination of measles transmission in the United States, U.S.-bound refugees should be vaccinated overseas. A refugee vaccination program administered during the overseas health assessment has the potential to reduce the risk of importation of measles and other vaccine-preventable disease and would eliminate costs associated with public health response to imported cases and outbreaks.     

Compatibility of ASO3-adjuvanted H1N1pdm09 and seasonal trivalent influenza vaccines in adults: results of a randomized, controlled trial

When Canada chose a novel adjuvanted vaccine to combat the 2009 influenza pandemic, seasonal trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) was also available but compatibility of the two had not been assessed. To compare responses after concurrent or sequential administration of these vaccines, adults 20-59 years old were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive ASO3-adjuvanted H1N1pdm09 vaccine (Arepanrix, GSK, Quebec City, Quebec), with TIV (Vaxigrip, Sanofi Pasteur, Toronto) given concurrently or 21 days later. Blood was obtained at baseline and 21 days after each vaccination to measure hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titers. Adverse effects were assessed using symptom diaries and personal interviews. 282 participants completed the study (concurrent vaccines 145, sequential vaccines 137). HAI titers to H1N1pdm09 were ≥ 40 at baseline in 15-18% of participants and following vaccination in 91-92%. Initially seropositive subjects (titer ≥ 10) had lower H1N1pdm09 geometric mean HAI titers (GMT) after concurrent than separate vaccinations (320.0 vs 476.5, p=0.039) but both exceeded GM responses of initially na?ve participants, which were unaffected by concurrent TIV. Responses to TIV were not lower after concurrent than separate vaccination. Adverse event rates were not increased by concurrent vaccinations above those with H1N1pdm09 vaccine alone. This adjuvanted H1N1pdm09 vaccine was immunogenic and compatible with concurrently administered TIV.     

Association between obesity and vulnerability and serologic response to influenza vaccination in older adults

Background

Serologic response to influenza vaccination declines with age. Few other host factors are known to be associated with serologic response. Our objective was to determine whether obesity and vulnerability independently predicted serologic response to influenza vaccination.

Methods

Adults ≥50 years were recruited during the 2008–2009 influenza season. Subjects provided pre- and post-vaccination sera for measuring antibody titers to 2008–2009 vaccine components. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m²). Data were collected on vulnerability using the vulnerable elders survey (VES13). Logistic regression evaluated the associations between obesity and vulnerability and the serologic response to vaccination (both seroprotection and seroconversion), adjusting for gender, age, comorbidities, pre-vaccination titer, and site.

Results

Mean (±standard deviation) age of 415 study subjects was 65 ± 10 years; 40% were obese. Mean BMI was 29 ± 5.6 kg/m²; mean VES13 was 1.6 ± 1.8. The proportions of subjects who seroconverted and had seroprotective titers were 40% and 49%, respectively, for A/Brisbane/59 (H1N1); 73% and 80% for A/Brisbane/10 (H3N2); and 34% and 94% for B/Florida. Modified VES-13 (score 0–10, with 10 being most vulnerable) was not associated with seroprotection against H1N1 or H3N2, and VES-13 was directly associated with seroconversion to H1N1 but not H3N2 or B. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² vs. BMI 18.5–30 kg/m²) was not associated with seroprotection for H1N1 or H3N2; obesity was directly associated with seroconversion to H3N2 but not H1N1 or B. Age was inversely associated with seroprotection and seroconversion against H1N1 and with seroconversion to influenza B.

Conclusion

Based on this sample of older healthy subjects, there were no consistent relationships between VES 13 or obesity and either seroprotection or seroconversion to three influenza vaccine antigens.     

Emergency medical preparedness for radiological/nuclear incidents in the United States

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the Department of Health and Human Services develops health and medical response plans for all hazards--natural and human caused. While a nuclear power plant (NPP) incident will take time to evolve, a terrorist incident will have 'no-notice' so that extensive preparation and planning are essential. For radiological/nuclear (rad/nuc) incidents we have developed and continue to refine detailed plans and tools for medical responders for a nuclear detonation and a radiological dispersal device, which also serve for any type of rad/nuc incident. The plans are based on the best available basic science with the goal of providing planners and responders with just-in-time information and tools. There is much in common across the range of hazards, so that the products developed for rad/nuc incidents have helped overall preparedness. A major consideration in the development of new diagnostics, medical treatment and countermeasures for radiation injury is that of 'dual utility' with potential for routine medical use for cancer care. Participation and collaboration among nations helping the Japanese response to the Fukushima earthquake, tsunami and NPP disaster demonstrated the benefit of preparation and ongoing worldwide cooperation among experts.     

替比夫定与阿德福韦酯治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎的临床观察

目的评价替比夫定治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎48周的疗效和安全性。方法将HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者104例分为两组,治疗组53例,对照组51例。治疗组口服替比夫定600mg,每日1次,疗程48周;对照组口服阿德福韦酯10mg,每日1次,疗程48周。观察两组治疗12、24、36、48周时的HBV-DNA阴转率、ALT复常率、HBeAg阴转率、HBeAg血清转换率及治疗过程中的不良反应。结果治疗12、24、36、48周时,两组HBV-DNA阴转率、ALT复常率相比较差异有统计学意义(P﹤0.05),而HBeAg阴转率及HBeAg血清转换率相比较差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05)。治疗组在服药期间未出现严重不良反应。结论替比夫定治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎是有效的和安全的。     

极差法比对验证方案在尿沉渣分析仪检测红细胞比对中的应用

目的：探讨极差法比对验证方案在尿沉渣分析仪检测红细胞可比性验证中的应用。方法选择3台U F-1000i尿沉渣分析仪,计算连续6个月室内质控品红细胞检测的总均值和变异系数,确定可比性试验标本浓度,选择符合浓度要求的试验标本;设定比对验证结果可接受标准;确定试验标本重复检测次数,计算比对偏差,并与可接受标准进行比较。结果3台分析仪检测低值、高值质控品红细胞的结果合成不精密度分别为4．26％和3．91％,总均值分别为41．17个／微升和189．42个／微升;选择的比对试验低值、高值标本红细胞浓度分别为33．5、180．5个／微升,重复检测次数分别为4次和3次。比对验证结果可接受标准确定为比对偏差不超过±10％。试验标本实际检测结果比对偏差分别为4．5％和2．3％,均小于10％。结论3台U F-1000i尿沉渣分析仪检测红细胞比对验证通过。极差法比对验证方案操作简单,适合推广应用。     

耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌的临床感染特点及耐药特性

目的 了解耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)感染状况,为有效预防与控制多药耐药菌医院感染及合理使用抗菌药物奠定基础.方法 前瞻性调查方法,由医院感染专职人员定期到微生物实验室获取培养阳性结果,深入临床了解患者用药、消毒隔离措施及医务人员个人防护措施落实情况;并对临床感染资料和病原菌耐药性进行统计分析.结果 2009年11月-2010年12月共分离出126株金黄色葡萄球菌,其中86株为耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌;医院感染病例中ICU感染病例占70.83％;MRSA仅对磺胺甲噁唑/甲氧苄啶、替考拉宁、万古霉素、喹奴普汀/达福普汀有较高的敏感率,分别为93.02％、97.67％、96.51％、93.02％.结论 MRSA医院感染率有明显上升趋势,且呈多耐药性;应加强多药耐药菌的医院感染预防与控制工作,积极开展多药耐药菌的主动筛查工作,做到早发现、早隔离、早治疗;提高MRSA的治愈率,减少MRSA的医院感染和死亡率.