Assessment of serum vitamin B12 and folic acid in patients with oral Lichen Planus: a case control study

Oral Lichen Planus [OLP] is a chronic immunologic disorder with unknown etiology. Stress and anxiety are some risk factors for OLP and Vitamin B12 and folic acid have been proved to be effective mirco-nutrients for prevention of anxiety and depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate serum Vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency in patients with OLP. Forty eight individuals [32 cases with histopathologically proven OLP and 16 healthy subjects] were recruited. Serum folic acid and Vitamin B12 were assessed for each individual. T-test was applied for data analysis. Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 8 of 32 cases with OLP [25%] while in the control group it was found in 12.5% of the subjects [p>0.05]. Of the 32 patients with OLP, one had folic acid deficiency while none of the control subjects had such a deficiency [p>0.05]. Although Vitamin B12 deficiency in OLP patients did not show a statistically significant difference compared with healthy subjects, it was approximately twice as much as the control group. And it can be suggested that Vitamin B12 may have some effective roles in OLP pathogenesis while folic acid deficiency cannot be considered as a prominent risk factor in OLP. More studies are needed to prove such relation

Prevalence of orofacial complications in Iranian patients with beta thalassemia major

Major beta-thalassemia is the most common monogenic known disorder in Iran and about 15000 persons are affected. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of orofacial complications. In this cross-sectional study during 2003-2004, 300 patients with major beta -thalassemia referring to 8 hospitals for routine examinations, blood infusion and treatment in cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Sari, Zahedan, Shahre Kord and Sanandag were studied. The questionnaires included general information, medical and dental history. The prevalence of orofacial complications in major beta-thalassemia was: saddle nose [67%], maxillary protrusion [49/7%], color change of oral mucosa [41/7%], rodent face [34/7%], deep bite [21/7%], spacing [20/7%], and open bite [8/7%], respectively. There was not any relationship between the complications and sex. Most of the patients [91%] were in the first and second decade of life. Early diagnosis and blood infusion caused less prevalence of rodent face. The most observed type of occlusion was class 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Knowing the prevalence of complication can help the dentists to do properly for these patients to solve their problems and improve knowledge of the parents about their children's dental health

Presence of Epstein- Barr virus in oral Lichen planus and normal oral mucosa

Oral lichen planus [OLP] is a chronic immunologic disease. The etiology of OLP is unknown, viral antigens [for example Epstein-Bar virus] have been proposed as etiologic agents. OLP may get transformation to malignancy so research on the presence of EBV in OLP lesions seems to be necessary. The aim of this study was to ascertain if EBV acted as etiologic factor in pathogenesis of OLP. Tissue specimens of 22 patients with clinical diagnosis and histopathological confirmation of OLP were used as case group. And that of 22 persons without OLP served as control group. Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] method was used. Each sample was tested twice. All biopsy specimens from patients and controls were negative for EBV presence. In spite of the fact that the presence of EBV in OLP in these two small groups of Iranian population was not confirmed with PCR method, but due to different ideas and reports in this field, proving or disproving of presence or etiological role of EBV in OLP is continuously a question and needs to be examined in further studies

[ Survey of prevalence of rare Bombay [Oh] blood group among 3 different population in Tehran [1381-1382]]

H antigen is a precursor to A and B antigens. [Person who lacks A and B antigens has a strong expression of H antigen. In 1 per million population, Bombay phenotype [ lack of A, B, H antigens] is observed, because this group should just experience autologous transfusion. Accurate identification of such people is highly recommended. 2178 persons from 3 different population were selected. One group was Indian population of Tehran [100], 78 persons [from 2 families with Bombay phenotype history, and the third group[2000] was selected as volunteer donors. All of them have O group phenotype.10 cc of whole blood was taken from each subject. Red blood cells washed 3 times with saline and finally samples with 5% dilution were prepared. Each sample was treated with H-Lectin anti-sera, and after 30 minutes agglutination was detected with naked eye and microscope. Only 1 subject among donors had Bombay phenotype. Limitation in Indian population in Tehran caused hinderance detection of new cases of Bombay phenotype. At the end, detection of 1 Bombay phenotype among 2000 donors seems very significant