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Abstract Heterogeneity of COVID-19 manifestations in human population is vast, for reasons unknown. Cotton rats are a clinically relevant small animal model of human respiratory viral infections. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that SARS-CoV-2 infection in cotton rats affects multiple organs and systems, targeting species- and age-specific biological processes. Infection of S. fulviventer, which developed a neutralizing antibody response and were more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 replication in the upper respiratory tract, was accompanied by hyperplasia of lacrimal drainage-associated lymphoid tissue (LDALT), a first known report of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue activation at the portal of SARS-CoV-2 entry. Although less permissive to viral replication, S. hispidus showed hyperplasia of bone marrow in the facial bones and increased pulmonary thrombosis in aged males. Augmentation of these features by SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests a virus-induced breach in regulatory mechanisms which could be devastating for people of all ages with underlying conditions and in particular for elderly with a multitude of ongoing disorders.

Abstract Background Ocular damage, including damage to the conjunctiva, lacrimal gland, eyelids, and orbit, caused by Schistosoma haematobium is sporadic. We report a clinical case of orbital migration of schistosome eggs. Case presentation A 14-year-old boy of Malian nationality presented with a painless swelling of the upper right eyelid, which had been gradually increasing for approximately 3 months. Visual acuity was logMAR 0.10 and 0.00 in the right and left eye, respectively. External examination revealed a right palpebral mass, pushing the globe slightly downward and inward. Computed tomography revealed a mass of the right lacrimal gland. Total excision of the mass was performed by transpalpebral orbitotomy. Pathological examination revealed an inflammatory granulomatous infiltrate of the lacrimal gland consisting of lymphocytes, eosinophils, giant cells, epithelioid cell, histiocytes and calcified Schistosoma eggs with terminal spine. Urine examination revealed eggs of S. haematobium. Praziquantel 40 mg/kg was administered to the patient. The hematuria stopped after 1 week. After 3 years of follow-up, no recurrence was noted. Conclusions The bilharzian granuloma of the lacrimal gland is an ectopic site of the parasite. In this case, the granuloma was cured by surgical excision followed by a course of Praziquantel.

Abstract Background Leather dust is an established carcinogen of the sinonasal cavities; however, evidence is lacking regarding its association with other head and neck cancers (HNC). To date, few studies have been conducted on the association between occupational leather dust exposure and the risk of oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the risk of HNC and occupational exposure to leather dust. Methods Lifestyle habits and occupational history were collected for 2161 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity, pharynx, and larynx, and 3555 controls, using a standardized questionnaire. Occupational exposure to leather dust was assessed using a job-exposure matrix. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for HNC globally and by subsite were estimated using multivariate unconditional, and polytomous logistic regressions, respectively. Results Cumulative lifetime exposure to leather dust

Introduction Key knowledge gaps remain to improve reproductive health outcomes for millions of women living with female genital mutilation (FGM). We aimed to update previous reviews and quantify more rigorously maternal and perinatal complications related to FGM across different settings.Methods In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched 15 electronic databases for studies published between 1 August 1995 and 15 March 2020, reporting on maternal and perinatal complications related to FGM. We included studies comparing women with and without FGM while accounting for confounders. Pooled relative risks (RR) were calculated, using fixed-effects and random-effects models, for a range of maternal and perinatal outcomes, adjusting for individual characteristics and according to delivery settings and study design.Results We identified 106 unique references, assessed 72 full-text articles and included 11 studies. We found non-significant elevated risks of instrumental delivery, caesarean delivery, episiotomy, postpartum haemorrhage, perineal laceration, low Apgar score and miscarriage/stillbirth related to FGM. Heterogeneity was present for most outcomes when combining all studies but reduced in subgroup analyses. The risk of caesarean delivery was increased among primiparous women (1.79, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.07) such as the risk of episiotomy in European specialised settings for women with FGM (1.88, 1.14 to 3.09). In Africa, subgroup analyses revealed elevated risks of postpartum haemorrhage (2.59, 1.28 to 5.25). The most common reported type was FGM II. However, few studies provided stratified analyses by type of FGM, which did not allow an assessment of the impact of the severity of typology on studied outcomes.Conclusion This review suggests maternal and perinatal morbidity related to FGM vary by study design, context and by subgroup of women. Our study also draws attention to the complications that may extend to the postpartum period. This work contributes to shaping a reference framework for future research and clinical guidelines.