Tricho-Dento-Osseous Syndrome: A Report of a Familial Cluster and a Literature Review

Tricho-dento-osseous syndrome (TDO), is a very rare, autosomal dominant genetic disorder, commonly characterized by curly hair at infancy, severe enamel hypomineralization and hypoplasia with taurodontism teeth, bone defects and other deformities. Other phenotypic features include flat fingernails and altered craniofacial morphology. A genetic linkage has been identified on chromosome 17q21 in the DLX3 gene. Treatment plan of TDO is to prevent problems such as sensitivity and dental attrition of the hypoplastic structure of the tooth, to promote the esthetics and encourage self-confidence of the patient. In this case report, we present a family with the proband father, and the two children siblings affected by the TDO syndrome. We describe clinical and radiological features, along with dental characteristics and genetic background. Management of TDO syndrome necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, appropriate documentation, and long-term follow up.

Work-Related Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) Infection: A Systematic Review

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) belong to the delta group of retroviruses which may cause a life-long infection in humans, HTLV-1 leading to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and other diseases. Different transmission modes have been described, such as breastfeeding, and, as for other blood-borne pathogens, unsafe sexual activity, intravenous drug usage, and blood transfusion and transplantation. The present systematic review was conducted to identify all peer-reviewed studies concerning the work-related infection by HTLV-1/2. A literature search was conducted from January to May 2021, according to the PRISMA methodology, selecting 29 studies: seven related to health care workers (HCWs), five to non-HCWs, and 17 to sex workers (SWs). The findings showed no clear evidence as to the possibility of HTLV-1/2 occupational transmission in HCWs, according to the limited number and quality of the papers. Moreover, non-HCWs showed a higher prevalence in jobs consistent with a lower socioeconomic status or that could represent a familial cluster, and an increased risk of zoonotic transmission from STLV-1-infected non-human primates has been observed in African hunters. Finally, a general increase of HTLV-1 infection was observed in SWs, whereas only one paper described an increased prevalence for HTLV-2, supporting the urgent need for prevention and control measures, including screening, diagnosis, and treatment of HTLV-1/2, to be offered routinely as part of a comprehensive approach to decrease the impact of sexually transmitted diseases in SWs.

Covid-19 in familial cluster: ultrashort incubation period could be an early indication of Brazilian Variant of SARS-Cov-2 virus?

Objective: To describe the occurrence of COVID-19 with an ultra-short incubation period in a familial cluster. Experience report: Description of a series of eighteen cases of COVID-19 from the same familial cluster, with possible contamination at a social dinner. The time elapsed between the family reunion and the onset of each guest's symptoms was described. The cases that have been tested and their results are presented. Experience report: Nineteen people from a family group were followed for twelve days. The average incubation period was 37.16 hours. The incubation period was 24 hours in 11.11% of the cases, 36 hours in 66.67% and 48 hours in 22.22% of the individuals in the cluster. In just over five percent of patients, the estimated incubation period was 96 hours. The most frequent initial symptom was cough (38.8%). Final considerations: An ultrashort incubation period for SARS-CoV-2 can be an important alert for a new COVID-19 standard. However, our study is limited by the scarce number of individuals and the lack of tests before the meeting.

Comparison of Clinical Features and CT Temporal Changes Between Familial Clusters and Non-familial Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and chest computed tomography (CT) findings of familial cluster (FC) and non-familial (NF) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.Methods: This retrospective study included 178 symptomatic adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. The 178 patients were divided into FC (n = 108) and NF (n = 70) groups. Patients with at least two confirmed COVID-19 cases in their household were classified into the FC group. The clinical and laboratory features between the two groups were compared and so were the chest CT findings on-admission and end-hospitalization.Results: Compared with the NF group, the FC group had a longer period of exposure (13.1 vs. 8.9 days, p < 0.001), viral shedding (21.5 vs. 15.9 days, p < 0.001), and hospital stay (39.2 vs. 22.2 days, p < 0.001). The FC group showed a higher number of involved lung lobes on admission (3.0 vs. 2.3, p = 0.017) and at end-hospitalization (3.6 vs. 1.7, p < 0.001) as well as higher sum severity CT scores at end-hospitalization (4.6 vs. 2.7, p = 0.005) than did the NF group. Conversely, the FC group had a lower lymphocyte count level (p < 0.001) and a significantly lower difference in the number of involved lung lobes (Δnumber) between admission and discharge (p < 0.001). Notably, more cases of severe or critical illness were observed in the FC group than in the NF group (p = 0.036).Conclusions: Patients in the FC group had a worse clinical course and outcome than those in the NF group; thus, close monitoring during treatment and follow-ups after discharge would be beneficial for patients with familial infections.