Prevalence of Oral Normal Variance in Healthy Elderly Patients: A Descriptive Study on Oral Pseudo-Lesions

Abstract Introduction The aging process in the elderly can change the condition of the oral cavity, regarding both clinical appearance and function. The oral mucosa becomes more susceptible to mechanical damage and irritant agents. Any changes in the oral mucosa, including normal variance, should be examined. This is especially true for the elderly, to improve oral health and prevent any abnormalities. Objective To describe the prevalence of oral normal variance in healthy elderly patients. Methods An observational descriptive study with a cross-sectional design with total sampling conducted from March to April 2020. Results Among the 117 elderly patients who participated in this study, 58 were described as healthy without any comorbidities. From those subjects, there were 117 cases of normal variance in the oral mucosa. The three most prevalent issues were fissured tongue (93.1%), coated tongue (58.62%), and crenated tongue (27.59%). Conclusion Fissured tongue is a normal variance of the oral mucosa that is commonly found in healthy elderly patients.

Oral Candidiasis in Immunosuppressed Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Post Dexamethasone Injection at 7. 2 mg/kg and 16 mg/kg Doses / Candidíase oral em ratos Wistar imunossuprimidos (Rattus norvegicus) pós-injeção de dexametasona com doses de 7, 2 mg / kg e 16 mg / kg

Objective: Oral candidiasis is an infection that occurs in the oral cavity and is caused by candida species, often Candida albicans. This infection commonly occurs in a condition of immunosuppression caused by dexamethasone. Due to the side effects of antifungal therapy, developing a standardized immunosuppressed animal model to induce oral candidiasis for new therapies is required. The aim of this study is to observe oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed Wistar rats post dexamethasone injection at 7.2 mg/kg and 16 mg/kg doses. Material and Methods: Twenty-one Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group, treatment group 1 (injected with dexamethasone at a concentration of 7.2 mg/kg), and treatment group 2 (at a concentration of 16 mg/kg) for five days. Immunosuppression status was observed by leukocyte count and all the subjects' palates were inoculated with C. albicans 0.1 ml of 15x108 UFC/ml 24 hours later. The subjects' tongues were observed and confirmed by laboratory examination on day 10. A statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA, Kruskal­Wallis, Tukey HSD, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: A significant clinical appearance of the subjects' tongues was observed only between C and T1 (p=0.023; p<0.05). Significant hyphal formation was observed between C and T1 (p= 0.037; p<0.05) and between C and T2 (p=0.007; p<0.05), and no significant difference was observed between T1 and T2. A significant increase in the colony count was also observed in similar results. Conclusion: Dexamethasone injection at doses of 7.2 mg/kg and 16 mg/kg is effective in triggering immunosuppression to induce oral candidiasis in immunosuppressed Wistar rats. (AU)

Candidíase oral é uma infecção que ocorre na cavidade oral e é causada por espécies de Candida, freqüentemente Candida albicans. Esta infecção geralmente ocorre em uma condição de imunossupressão causada por dexametasona. Devido aos efeitos colaterais de terapia antifúngica, o desenvolvimento de um padrão de modelo animal imunossuprimido para induzir candidíase oral para testar novas terapias se faz necessário. O objetivo deste estudo é observar candidíase oral em ratos Wistar imunossuprimidos pós-injeção de dexametasona utilizando doses de 7,2 mg /kg e 16 mg / kg. Material e métodos: Vinte e um ratos Wistar foram divididos em três grupos: grupo controle, tratamento grupo 1 (injetado com dexametasona na concentração de 7,2 mg / kg), e tratamento grupo 2 (concentração de 16 mg / kg) por cinco dias. A imunossupressão foi observada pela contagem de leucócitos e todos os palatos dos animais foram inoculados com C. albicans 0,1 ml de 15x108 UFC / ml após 24horas. As línguas dos animais foram observadas e confirmadas por exame laboratorial após 10 dias. A análise estatística foi realizada usando os testes de ANOVA um fator, kruskal ­ Wallis, Tukey HSD e de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Significante diferença na aparência clínica da língua dos animais foi observada apenas entre C e T1 (p = 0,023; p <0,05). Significativa diferença na formação de hifas foi observada entre C e T1(p = 0,037; p <0,05) e entre C e T2 (p = 0,007; p <0,05), e nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada entre T1 e T2. Um aumento significativo na contagem de colônias foi também observado com resultados semelhantes. Conclusão: Injeção de dexametasona utilizando doses de 7,2 mg / kg e 16 mg / kg é eficaz no desencadeamento da imunossupressão para induzir candidíase oral em ratos Wistar imunossuprimidos. (AU)