Atypical Presentation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Stomatitis Post COVID-19 in an Immunocompetent Adolescent.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is a rare, multi-drug-resistant opportunistic bacteria that typically causes serious infections in immunocompromised and hospitalized patients, often leading to fatal pneumonia or bacteremia. We present the case of a healthy 15-year-old immunocompetent female who developed severe oral ulcers due to S. maltophilia following a recent COVID-19 infection. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of S. maltophilia manifesting in this manner after COVID-19. Scrapes from the oral lesions were collected and cultured, confirming the infection.The CBC and immunoglobulin reports revealed mildly elevated IgA and platelet levels, with no evidence of immunodeficiency.The patient was treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) based on culture sensitivity, and she responded well to treatment. She was referred to an infectious disease specialist for further monitoring. COVID-19 has recently been implicated in many unusual presentations, associations, and syndromes. One of the most supported theories about COVID-19 is its association with a transient immunodeficient state or a generalized state of immune system dysregulation that can compromise both innate and adaptive immunity. This case supports that theory, as no other apparent etiology for such an otherwise opportunistic infection was identified. The recognition of such atypical infections in previously healthy individuals, particularly post COVID-19, highlights the importance of sharpening clinical vigilance and considering opportunistic pathogens in differential diagnoses. Further research is warranted to explore the potential link between COVID-19 and the susceptibility to rare opportunistic infections, which may guide future clinical practices.

Bioengineered Organoids Offer New Possibilities for Liver Cancer Studies: A Review of Key Milestones and Challenges.

Hepatic cancer is widely regarded as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite recent advances in treatment options, the prognosis of liver cancer remains poor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop more representative in vitro models of liver cancer for pathophysiology and drug screening studies. Fortunately, an exciting new development for generating liver models in recent years has been the advent of organoid technology. Organoid models hold huge potential as an in vitro research tool because they can recapitulate the spatial architecture of primary liver cancers and maintain the molecular and functional variations of the native tissue counterparts during long-term culture in vitro. This review provides a comprehensive overview and discussion of the establishment and application of liver organoid models in vitro. Bioengineering strategies used to construct organoid models are also discussed. In addition, the clinical potential and other relevant applications of liver organoid models in different functional states are explored. In the end, this review discusses current limitations and future prospects to encourage further development.