Tick-borne encephalitis virus vaccination breakthrough infections in Germany: a retrospective analysis from 2001 to 2018.

OBJECTIVES: There are few data available regarding the clinical course of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) vaccination breakthrough infections. The published studies suggest that vaccination breakthrough infections may have a more severe course than native TBEV infection in unvaccinated individuals-potentially due to antibody-dependent enhancement. Here we report a large analysis of vaccination breakthrough infections. METHODS: This retrospective analysis was based on a national surveillance dataset spanning the years 2001-2018. Variables reflecting disease severity, such as 'CNS symptoms', 'myelitis', 'fatal outcome' and 'hospitalization' were analysed as well as general epidemiological variables. Cases were categorized as 'unvaccinated' or 'ever vaccinated', the latter category including cases with at least one dose of a TBEV vaccine. RESULTS: A total of 6073 notified TBEV infection cases were included in our analysis. Sufficient data on vaccination status were available for 95.1% of patients (5777/6073); of these, 5298 presented with a native infection. A total of (334/5777) cases developed an infection despite having been vaccinated at least once. Comparing unvaccinated patients with those with at least one vaccination, we find an odds ratio (OR) 2.73, (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-9.50) regarding the variable fatal outcome that did not reach statistical significance. Analysing the clinical variables 'CNS symptoms' and 'myelitis', there is no difference between these groups (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.68-1.08; and OR 1.30, 95% CI 0.74-2.27 respectively). Patients who were vaccinated and had an assumed protection at symptom onset (n = 100) had a higher risk for the development of myelitic symptoms (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.01-4.86]) than unvaccinated patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings could neither verify that vaccination breakthrough infections might cause a more severe disease than native infections nor prove a clear antibody-dependent enhancement phenomenon. It remains unclear whether the increased myelitis risk in a subgroup of vaccinated patients is a true effect or confounded.

Strong association of variants around FOXE1 and orofacial clefting.

Nonsyndromic orofacial clefting (nsOFC) is a common, complex congenital disorder. The most frequent forms are nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (nsCPO). Although they are generally considered distinct entities, a recent study has implicated a region around the FOXE1 gene in both nsCL/P and nsCPO. To investigate this hypothesis, we analyzed the 2 most strongly associated markers (rs3758249 and rs4460498) in 2 independent samples of differing ethnicities: Central European (949 nsCL/P cases, 155 nsCPO cases, 1163 controls) and Mayan Mesoamerican (156 nsCL/P cases, 10 nsCPO cases, 338 controls). While highly significant associations for both single-nucleotide polymorphisms were obtained in nsCL/P (rs4460498: p Europe = 6.50 × 10(-06), p Mayan = .0151; rs3758249: p Europe = 2.41 × 10(-05), p Mayan = .0299), no association was found in nsCPO (p > .05). Genotyping of rs4460498 in 472 independent European trios revealed significant associations for nsCL/P (p = .016) and nsCPO (p = .043). A meta-analysis of all data revealed a genomewide significant result for nsCL/P (p = 1.31 × 10(-08)), which became more significant when nsCPO cases were added (p nsOFC = 1.56 × 10(-09)). These results strongly support the FOXE1 locus as a risk factor for nsOFC. With the data of the initial study, there is now considerable evidence that this locus is the first conclusive risk factor shared between nsCL/P and nsCPO.

[Bilateral anophthalmia and left-sided orbital tumor : case of an eight-month-old infant]. / Beidseitiger Anophthalmus und linksseitiger Orbitatumor : Fall eines acht Monate alten Säuglings.

An 8-month-old infant from Russia with bilateral anophthalmia presented with an expanding orbital tumor. The tumor was extirpated and the histological examination revealed a non-malignant pseudocystic process with residual neuro-ectodermal structures.

[Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw]. / Bisphosphonatassoziierte Osteonekrose des Kiefers.

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonates (BP) are widely used in patients with osteoporosis or malignant tumors with bony metastases such as breast cancer and plasmocytoma because of their potency to affect osteoclasts and bone resorption. Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been described as a potential side effect since 2003. After a review of the literature we present results of a questionnaire, which was sent to departments of oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) in German-speaking countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 349 patients from the literature, 54 patients from the departments of OMFS and 19 cases from our own department. These patients ware analyzed depending on their disease, their medication, localization of the affected area, histological signs and therapeutic outcome. RESULTS: Of 73 patients, 68 (93%) were treated with pamidronate or zoledronate; 69 (94%) patients suffered from malignant diseases, 3 (5%) had osteoporosis, and 1 (1%) had Paget's disease. In 57 (78%) patients the ONJ affected the mandible, in 12 (16%) the maxilla and in 4 (5%) both jaws. A previous tooth extraction was reported in 38 (52%) patients, and in 35 (48%) ONJ occurred spontaneously. Histological findings were similar to osteomyelitis with a high number of actinomyces colonies. Nine (12%) patients received non-surgical treatment only, 52 (71%) patients underwent minor surgical procedures (e. g. decortication) and 19 (26%) patients underwent marginal or segmental resection of the jaw. Considering all treatment modalities, healing was achieved in 55; the most effective was marginal and segmental resection (88%). DISCUSSION: Though millions of patients receive BP treatment only a few suffer from ONJ. The incidence in cancer patients with pamidronate and zoledronate therapy is 4%-10%. Because of the similarity to "phossy jaw", seen in patients dealing with white phosphorus in the nineteenth century, some authors call the new entity "bis-phossy jaw". As the pathogenesis of ONJ is not clear we recommend that the descriptive term bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis should be used. Bone resection and safe soft tissue closure is the treatment of choice. We recommend systematic dental care for patients receiving BP medication. Information exchange between oncologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and dentists is important.

[Glandular odontogenic cyst of the mandible. Case report]. / Glanduläre odontogene Zyste des Unterkiefers. Ein Fallbericht.

BACKGROUND: Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare lesion of both, the maxilla and mandible, leading to extensive osteolysis. Histologically, it shows thin layers of squamous and cylindrical cells, lined with mucinous metaplasia. This makes it difficult to differentiate from a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The recurrence rate is high. CASE REPORT: During a routine X-ray examination we saw massive osteolysis of the whole mandible in a 30-year-old female. All teeth were vital. The biopsy taken showed a benign cyst although the clinical aspect was similar to an ameloblastoma. The cyst was removed after intravital fixation with Carnoy's solution. The bony cavity was left without filling material. Uneventful bony healing occurred. DISCUSSION: Due to rare occurrence and similarity to botryoid odontogenic cyst and low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma GOC is difficult to identify. It remains without clinical signs for years and is identified in routine X-rays in most cases. We recommend cystectomy after use of Carnoy's solution for intravital fixation. No filling material is required for complete bony healing.

Sterilization of elastic ligatures for intraoperative mandibulomaxillary immobilization.

Sterilization can influence the mechanical properties of elastic ligatures used for mandibulomaxillary immobilization. The aim of this study was to compare different sterilization protocols (ethylene oxide, autoclave, irradiation, plasma sterilization, povidone-iodine for 24 hours and 70% isopropyl alcohol for 24 hours) of three elastomers (natural rubber, silicone rubber, and polyurethane). Three mechanical variables were assessed in a testing machine: breaking strength, tensile strength and tensile strength after a 24-hour load (material fatigue). Natural rubber was most susceptible to mechanical alteration by sterilization and lost 46% of its breaking strength and 43% of its tensile strength after autoclaving. Polyurethane was more resistant (multiple comparison, Tukey-Kramer), but polyurethane ligatures stuck together after autoclaving. The protocols for low-temperature sterilization, ethylene oxide, irradiation, and plasma were superior to autoclaving and the disinfecting solutions. These data suggest that polyurethane sterilized with ethylene oxide is the material of choice.

Position, shape, and dimension of the maxilla in unoperated cleft lip and palate patients: review of the literature.

The inhibition of growth and development resulting from surgical treatment of the cleft lip and palate is a widely discussed topic. Various studies have been conducted in search of answers as to how the untreated upper jaw develops, focusing on individuals with untreated cleft lip and palate as found in so-called Third World countries. This study offers the opportunity to compile literature dealing with the research and description of untreated unilateral cleft lip and palate. The focus was to take a closer look at groups of individuals with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate, who had received no surgical treatment at all, as well as groups who had received surgical treatment of only the cleft lip. The upper jaw of untreated cleft lip and palate patients most often adopts a protruded position without enlarging the maxilla itself. The horizontal dimension tends to be reduced, whereas the vertical dimension is normal. The upper jaw of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate who received surgical treatment of the lip more often adopted a retruded position. The model analysis showed no clear-cut tendencies. There seemed to be a degree of regional variation. Considering the relatively small number of recruitable individuals with untreated cleft lip and palate, the introduction of a standard method of evaluation is desirable. This would significantly facilitate the comparison of different studies with each other in the future. The first steps in this direction have already been initiated.

New trends in the 3D management of CT data in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Introduction of computer aided tomography in 1972 provided surgeons with multiple 2D maps which they themselves had to conceptualize mentally into a third dimension. The later advent of computerized summation of these data made it possible to display a perspective view of the third dimension on a TV monitor. CT, with the further analytical refinement afforded by software processing (interactive data presentation, contour detection and summation, hypothetical 3D data construction and interactive visualization) now provides the basic information that is needed for the fabrication of an individual model. Such models can be milled from polyurethane. More recently, laser-hardened acrylic resins have proved to be a useful alternative. Both systems are described and their advantages and disadvantages in the planning and performance of plastic and reconstructive surgical procedures discussed in the light of present knowledge.

[Magnetic resonance tomography in the diagnosis of mandibular osteomyelitis]. / Magnetresonanztomographie zur Diagnostik von Unterkieferosteomyelitiden.

PURPOSE: A prospective study of the value of MRI in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis of the mandible with special reference to the suitability of different MR sequences. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 13 patients, average age 55 years (12-82), with clinical suspicion of osteomyelitis of the mandible, 18 MRI examinations were carried out (STIR, TSE T2, proton and SE T1 weighted scans with and without contrast, slice thickness 3.5 to 6 mm). Image quality of the sequences was evaluated as well as the suitability of the various sequences for showing the lesion, its location and extent. Activity of the osteomyelitis was judged by the degree of contrast uptake and was correlated with 3-phase bone scintigraphy and with histological findings. RESULTS: In 9 of the 14 cases the findings on MRI and of the scintigraphy agreed with the histology. In two patients the activity of the inflammatory process was exaggerated by the MRI. In another follow-up examination it was slightly underestimated. All lesions were shown to be highly active by the histology were recognized as such by MRI. For the localisation and recognition of the extent of the inflammatory processes STIR sequences and T1 weighted non-enhanced SE sequences proved the most suitable. Contrast medium is essential to evaluate the inflammatory activity. CONCLUSION: MRI is a sensitive diagnostic method; it is as good as 3-phase bone scintigraphy in demonstrating osteomyelitis of the mandible and of its activity but is superior for showing the pathological anatomy.

Examine your orofacial cleft patients for Gorlin-Goltz syndrome.

The Gorlin-Goltz syndrome is characterized by four primary symptoms: multiple nevoid basal cell epitheliomas that usually undergo malignant transformation; jaw keratocysts that show constant growth; skeletal anomalies; and intracranial calcifications. A myriad of additional findings may also be noted. Among the most frequent are: palmar and plantar pits, a characteristic flattened facies and broad nasal root, frontal and parietal bossing, mandibular prognathia, hypertelorism, strabismus, dystrophia of the canthi, and clefts of the lip, alveolus, and/or palate. In this study, we review the literature and our 25 cases of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome patients, questioning their incidence of cleft formations (8.5%) as compared to the general population (0.1%). It is our contention that all patients who present with an orofacial cleft warrant deeper investigation as to the presence of additional signs indicative of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome. The nevi turn malignant with time, and thus, early diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment are imperative.