Hepatic injury and the kinetics of bone marrow-derived hepatocyte transgene expression

Successful Treatment of a Thyroid Abscess in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Thyroid abscess, or acute suppurative thyroiditis (AST), is an exceedingly rare condition, particularly in the pediatric population. It often results from congenital anomalies or is secondary to infections. Despite its rarity, prompt diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent serious complications. We report a case of a five-year-old girl with no significant medical history who presented with a two-week history of anterior neck swelling, odynophagia, fever, and leukocytosis. Notably, the patient did not exhibit symptoms of thyroid dysfunction. Initial treatment with antibiotics for a suspected bacterial infection at a private clinic did not lead to improvement. Ultrasound and computed tomography scans revealed a multiloculated abscess within the left thyroid lobe. The patient underwent successful incision and drainage, supported by antibiotic therapy, resulting in a full recovery without complications. Imaging studies played a critical role in diagnosing and guiding the management of this condition. Thyroid abscess, though rare, should be part of the differential diagnosis for pediatric patients presenting with acute neck swelling, fever, and pain. Early diagnosis and appropriate management, typically involving surgical drainage and antibiotics, are essential for a favorable outcome.

A first step towards a mouse model for hepatitis C virus infection containing a human immune system

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, immunopathogenesis, and resulting liver diseases have been hampered by the lack of a small animal model. We developed humanized mice with human immune system and liver tissues to improve the studies of hepatitis C pathogenesis and treatment.

METHODS

To promote engraftment of human hepatocytes, we expressed a fusion protein of the FK506 binding protein (FKBP) and caspase 8 under the control of the albumin promoter (AFC8), which induces liver cell death, in Balb/C Rag2(-/-) γC-null mice. Co-transplantation of human CD34(+) human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and hepatocyte progenitors into the transgenic mice led to efficient engraftment of human leucocytes and hepatocytes. We then infected these humanized mice (AFC8-hu HSC/Hep) with primary HCV isolates and studied HCV-induced immune responses and liver diseases.

RESULTS

AFC8-hu HSC/Hep mice supported HCV infection in the liver and generated a human immune T-cell response against HCV. HCV infection induced liver inflammation, hepatitis, and fibrosis, which correlated with activation of stellate cells and expression of human fibrogenic genes.

CONCLUSIONS

AFC8-hu HSC/Hep mice are a useful model of HCV infection, the immune response, and liver disease, because they contain human immune system and liver cells. These mice become infected with HCV, generate a specific immune response against the virus, and develop liver diseases that include hepatitis and fibrosis. This model might also be used to develop therapeutics for HCV infection.