Outbreak of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 Infections,Ghana

In September 2019, high mortality in commercial rabbits was reported in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 phylogenetically related to isolates from 2015–2017 outbreaks in the Netherlands was confirmed as the causative agent. The virus has not yet been detected in native rabbits in Ghana.     

Esthesioneuroblastoma as a collision tumor

Esthesioneuroblastoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm of nose and paranasal sinuses. Esthesioneuroblaslvma presenting as a collision tumour is very rare. The case of such a rare presentation is being reported here in a patient with previous history of squamous cell carcinoma uvula, post irridiatted; who now developed a bleeding nasal mass which proved to be a collision timour c ontaining both squamous cell carcinoma and Esthesioneuroblastoma on biopsy.     

Allogeneic vaccination with a B7.1 HLA-A gene-modified adenocarcinoma cell line in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety, immunogenicity, and clinical response to an allogeneic tumor vaccine for non-small-cell lung cancer, we conducted a phase I trial in patients with advanced metastatic disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated 19 patients with a vaccine based on an adenocarcinoma line (AD100) transfected with B7.1 (CD80) and HLA A1 or A2. Patients were vaccinated intradermally with 5 x 10(7) cells once every 2 weeks. Three vaccinations represented one course of treatment. If patients had complete response, partial response, or stable disease, they continued with the vaccinations for up to three courses (nine vaccinations). Immune response was assessed by a change between pre-study and postvaccination enzyme-linked immunospot frequency of purified CD8 T-cells secreting interferon-gamma in response to in vitro challenge with AD100. RESULTS: Four patients experienced serious adverse events that were unrelated to vaccine. Another four patients experienced only minimal skin erythema. All but one patient had a measurable CD8 response after three immunizations. The immune response of six surviving, clinically responding patients shows that CD8 titers continue to be elevated up to 150 weeks, even after cessation of vaccination. Overall, one patient had a partial response, and five had stable disease. Median survival for all patients is 18 months (90% CI, 7 to 23 months), with corresponding estimates of 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year survival of 52%, 30%, and 30%, respectively. HLA matching of vaccine, age, sex, race, and pathology did not bear a significant relation to response. CONCLUSION: Minimal toxicity and good survival in this small population suggest clinical benefit from vaccination.     

Control of presacral venous bleeding, using thumbtacks

Background Massive life threatening bleeding from presacral venous plexus in gynecological surgery, though uncommon can be fatal when conventional methods fail. Case In the present case, a 55-year-old woman undergoing radical hysterectomy for cancer cervix was saved using thumbtacks to control bleeding from presacral vessels when conventional methods were ineffective. Conclusion Use of thumbtacks in such patients is simple, cost effective and life saving.     

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney in a puerperal woman

Puerperal pyrexia is still rampant, especially in third world countries, and is usually due to puerperal sepsis, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infection, and breast infection. Rarely, in third world countries like India, it may be due to tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid, and so on, which are also rampant in the general population. Mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney (MESTK) is a recently recognized subset of renal tumors composed mainly of smooth muscle cells in which epithelial structures are embedded. It usually occurs in middle aged and older women. In the present case report, a 36-year-old woman presented with puerperal pyrexia, possibly due to tuberculosis and with an incidental mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney causing complex ascitis and fever, which required nephrectomy that was followed by full recovery. This case report highlights the importance of keeping MESTK in mind even in younger women with asymptomatic renal mass. It also highlights the importance of keeping renal tumors in mind as a possibility and to perform proper investigations for adequate treatment and recovery.