Controlled human infection studies accelerate vaccine development.

Clinical trials that employ human challenge, also known as controlled human infection models (CHIM), have rapidly advanced vaccine development for multiple pathogens, including at least 30 disease models to date. CHIM studies, championed by networks of researchers, regulators, ethicists, technical experts, and other stakeholders, limit exposure of individuals to an investigational product, de-risk product investments, identify correlates of protection, and most importantly provide a prompt readout of vaccine efficacy. While CHIM studies provide multiple advantages, important challenges exist, including strengthening the relevance and comparability of CHIM study results to efficacy trials in endemic areas, particularly in resource-limited settings.

Impact of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid drainage to control intracranial hypertension in patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective monocentric cohort.

Background: External lumbar drainage (ELD) of cerebrospinal fluid may help control intracranial pressure following a traumatic brain injury. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ELD in post-traumatic intracranial hypertension (IH).

Methods: This retrospective monocentric cohort study was conducted in the trauma critical care unit of the regional Level-I trauma centre between January 2012 and December 2022.

Children with hemoglobin C or S trait have low serologic responses to a subset of malaria variant surface antigens.

Children with hemoglobin AC or AS have decreased susceptibility to clinical malaria. Parasite variant surface antigen (VSA) presentation on the surface of infected erythrocytes is altered in erythrocytes with hemoglobin C (Hb AC) or sickle trait (Hb AS) mutations in vitro. The protective role of incomplete or altered VSA presentation against clinical malaria in individuals with Hb AC or AS is unclear.