Major cluster of paediatric 'true' primary chilblains during the COVID-19 pandemic: a consequence of lifestyle changes due to lockdown.

BACKGROUND: Over the last months, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of chilblain-like lesions were reported mainly in children and rarely in young adults. The relationship with SARS-CoV-2 infection was postulated, often without any laboratory, instrumental or clinical confirmation. The disclosure of information about chilblain-like lesions as a COVID-19 manifestation in social media has created concern in children's families and paediatricians. OBJECTIVES: To verify whether the chilblain-like lesions were caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: Prospective study on a case series including children who presented with acral lesions at the Pediatric Dermatology Outpatient and Pediatric Emergency Unit of the University of Bologna, from 1 April to 30 April 2020. We reported demographical, laboratory and clinical features, history of close contact with COVID-19 patients, presence of similar skin lesions in other family members, precipitating and risk factors for chilblain onset. RESULTS: We evaluated eight patients (five females, three males) aged between 11 and 15 years. We excluded acute or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection with RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swab, serum antibody levels using chemiluminescent immunoassays. Other acute infections causing purpuric lesions at the extremities were negative in all patients. Skin lesion biopsy for histological and immunohistochemical evaluation was made in two cases and was consistent with chilblain. PCR assay on skin lesion biopsy for parvovirus B19, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and SARS-CoV-2 was performed in a patient and resulted negative. We identified common precipitating and risk factors: physical (cold and wet extremities, low BMI), cold and wet indoor and outdoor environment, behaviours, habits and lifestyle. We therefore reached a diagnosis of primary chilblains. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a 'cluster' of primary chilblains developed in predisposed subjects, mainly teenagers, due to cold exposure in the lockdown period. Laboratory findings support our hypothesis, although it is also possible that an unknown infectious trigger may have contributed to the pathogenesis.

Evaluation of plate-related complications and efficacy in fibula free flap mandibular reconstruction.

AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of plate-related complications after vascularized bony reconstruction of the mandible, comparing the plate type used. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2004 and December 2012, a total of 41 free osteocutaneous fibula flaps have been used in an equal number of patients for reconstruction of the mandible, at the Division of Maxillofacial surgery, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin. Malignant pathology was the most common indication for segmental mandibulectomy.Patient outcomes were retrospectively evaluated with special attention to plate complications such as plate fracture, exposure, infection, and bony nonunion.The types of reconstruction plates used were mandible plates 2.0, locking plates 2.0, miniplates (<2.0), and locking 2.4 plates. RESULTS: Mandible plates 2.0 were used in 14 patients, locking plates 2.0 in 12 patients, and locking 2.4 plates in 4 patients. The most commonly used plates were miniplates, which were used in 86 patients.A total of 5 plate complications occurred after 41 procedures in an equal number of patients.Two complications occurred in patients receiving 2.0 mandible plates (2/14). One complication occurred in patients receiving 2.0 locking plates (1/12). Two complications occurred in patients receiving miniplates (2/86). CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, miniplates are not associated to a high rate of complications comparing to other plates. The advantage of these plates and the low rate of complications make them our first choice for mandibular reconstructions.

Anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of the supplemental intraosseous injection of 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of a supplemental intraosseous injection of 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin. STUDY DESIGN: Through use of a repeated-measures design, 40 subjects randomly received 3 combinations of injections at 3 separate appointments. The combinations were as follows: inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block (with 3% mepivacaine) + intraosseous injection of 1.8 mL of 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin; IAN block + intraosseous injection of 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (positive control); IAN block + mock intraosseous injection (negative control). Each first molar, second molar, and second premolar was blindly tested with a pulp tester at 2-minute cycles for 60 minutes after injection. Anesthesia was considered successful when 2 consecutive readings of 80 were obtained. Heart rate (pulse rate) was measured with a pulse oximeter. RESULTS: One hundred percent of the subjects had lip numbness with the IAN block + intraosseous mock technique and IAN block + intraosseous techniques. The anesthetic success rates for IAN block + mock intraosseous injection, IAN block + intraosseous lidocaine, and IAN block + intraosseous mepivacaine, respectively, were as follows: 80%, 100%, and 100% for the first molar; 90%, 100%, and 100% for the second molar; 77%, 97%, and 97% for the second premolar. For the first molar and second premolar, the differences were significant (P< .05) when the intraosseous mepivacaine and lidocaine techniques were compared with the IAN block + mock intraosseous injection. There were no significant differences between the intraosseous mepivacaine and lidocaine techniques. Eighty percent of the subjects had a mean increase in heart rate of 23-24 beats per minute with the intraosseous injection of the mepivacaine and lidocaine solutions; there were no significant differences between results with the 2 solutions. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that intraosseous injection of 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine or 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin, used to supplement an IAN block, significantly increased anesthetic success in first molars and second premolars. The 2 solutions were equivalent with regard to intraosseous anesthetic success rate, failure rate, and heart rate increase after IAN block.

Cytomegalovirus inhibits major histocompatibility class II expression on infected endothelial cells.

Persistent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. One mechanism by which HCMV may develop persistence after primary infection is through inhibition of host cell human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II expression with resultant escape from normal antiviral immune surveillance. Immunofluorescence flow cytometry of human endothelial cell (EC) cultures infected with HCMV AD169 and an EC propagated strain, VHL/E, showed a marked reduction in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-induced surface expression of HLA-DR. This inhibition did not occur when EC were treated with ultraviolet-inactivated virus and IFN-gamma. HCMV, as determined by dual-labeling immunohistochemistry, inhibited induction of surface and cytoplasmic class II antigens specifically in infected cells. HCMV infection also inhibited IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha up-regulation of HLA class I expression. Northern blot analysis of infected, IFN-gamma-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells revealed an absence of class II mRNA. Persistence of HCMV may result in part from its ability to inhibit HLA class II induction in infected cells.

[Primary carcinoid of the testis. Clinical case]. / Carcinoide primitivo del testicolo. Caso clinico.

A very rare case of carcinoid of the testicle combined with teratoma is illustrated. In fact the literature of the last twenty years reports only eleven cases of carcinoid of the testicle, of which only four combined with teratoma. It is stressed that it is possible that these neoplasias arise on already existing teratomas which may be very small and hence not always evidenced.