Monkeypox infection elicits strong antibody and B cell response against A35R and H3L antigens.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) resides in two forms; mature and enveloped, and depending on it, distinct proteins are displayed on the viral surface. Here, we expressed two MPXV antigens from the mature, and one from the enveloped form, and tested their reactivity to sera of 11 MPXV recoverees while comparing to sera from recently and past vaccinated individuals. 8 out of 11 recoverees exhibited detectable neutralization levels against Vaccinia Lister. Sera from all recoverees bound strongly to A35R and H3L antigens. Moreover, the responses to A35R were significantly higher within the recoverees compared to both recently and past vaccinated donors. Lastly, A35R- and H3L-specific IgG+ B cells ranging from 0.03-0.46% and 0.11-0.36%, respectively, were detected in all recoverees (A35R), and in 9 out of 11 recoverees (H3L). Therefore, A35R and H3L represent MPXV immune targets and could be used in a heat-inactivated serological ELISA for the identification of recent MPXV infection.

Mpox Presenting as Proctitis in Men Who Have Sex With Men.

In our cohort of 70 patients of men who have sex with men (MSM) with mpox, more than one-third presented with proctitis. In two-thirds of proctitis patients, there was no typical rash upon presentation, and in one-fifth, there was no rash at all, making the diagnosis a challenge. A rectal swab for mpox polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be diagnostic.

Are We Over-Treating Insect Bite Related Periorbital Cellulitis in Children? The Experience of a Large, Tertiary Care Pediatric Hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Preseptal (periorbital) and orbital cellulitis are potentially catastrophic infections near the eye. Preseptal cellulitis is far more common, and although classically reported to be associated with dacrocystitis, sinusitis/upper respiratory infection, trauma/surgery, or infection from contiguous areas, it can also be associated with insect bites. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of insect bite-associated preseptal cellulitis and to compare clinical findings and outcomes of these patients with those having other causes for the condition. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of children with a final discharge diagnosis of periorbital cellulitis from January 2009 to December 2014 at a tertiary care children' hospital. RESULTS: 213 children were diagnosed with preseptal cellulitis during the 5-year study period, of whom 60 (28%) were associated with insect bites. Patients in the noninsect bite group more commonly had fever at presentation (P < 0.001), with increased white blood cell and C reactive protein values (both P < 0.001). No patient with insect bite-associated preseptal cellulitis presented with fever, and none underwent radiographic testing or computerized tomography; their mean age was also lower (P < 0.001) and length of stay was significantly shorter. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that children with preseptal cellulitis associated with insect bites could be candidates for oral antibiotic therapy with outpatient follow-up by.

Severe anaphylactic reaction to mediterranean jellyfish (Ropilhema nomadica) envenomation: Case report.

We present a 15-year-old female patient with an anaphylactic reaction to a jellyfish sting, sustained while surfing in the Mediterranean Sea. She experienced immediate difficulty in breathing, hoarseness and itching and was taken by ambulance to the emergency department, receiving intramuscular adrenaline on the way. She presented with periorbital swelling and facial edema and improved with systemic steroids and antihistamines. She was discharged 2 days later with allergy service follow up at our institution. This is the first case report documenting anaphylaxis due to Mediterranean jellyfish envenomation.

Predictors of hospital length of stay in pediatric Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is a common, benign vasculitis in childhood which occasionally follows a protracted course and prolonged length of hospital stay. We aimed to determine clinical and laboratory characteristics that allow prediction of prolonged length of hospital stay (4 or more days) in HSP patients. We have retrospectively reviewed all HSP cases that were admitted to the Dana Duek Children's hospital between 2000 and 2013. Univariable analysis was performed to study the variables that were statistically related to length of hospital stay. These variables along with other clinically relevant variables were analyzed using stepwise backward multiple regression analysis. Variables that remained significant in the final analysis were correlated with length of stay, were each given specific weight (according to their contribution to the final R(2)) and were used to assemble an HSP presentation severity score. Out of 107 charts that were screened, 89 children were retrieved for analysis. In univariate analysis, variables that were associated with prolonged (>4 days) length of stay were: abdominal pain as initial sole presentation, C-reactive protein (CRP) 45 mg/dL (1 or 0 point) and patient's age > 6 years (0.5 or 0 points). A score of ≥3 in patients diagnosed with HSP predicted a prolonged length of stay with a positive predictive value of 93 %. The HSP presentation severity score index that we describe here may serve as a practical tool to assess severity of HSP which may eventually reflected as prolonged length of hospital stay. This score should be validated in the future in an ongoing prospective study.