Hepatitis D Virus: An Overview for Dentists

Hepatitis D is considered to be the most severe form of viral hepatitis. This virus requires hepatitis B for its life cycle and it is estimated that at least 5% of hepatitis B virus infected patients are also infected with hepatitis D, counting for 15 million infections worldwide most optimistically. Hepatitis D has a similar transmission pattern to hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. However, there is less information about the virus of hepatitis D than aboutthe other agents of viral hepatitis. In particular, there is total lack of information on hepatitis D in the setting of dental diseases and management. To our knowledge, there are only few reports on hepatitis D of dental health care workers (DHCW), the association of hepatitis D with oral conditions and on the role of oral fluid in transmission of hepatitis D. The present report reviews current knowledge of hepatitis D for dentists and dental personnel. Therefore, epidemiology, transmission modes, sign and symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment options of hepatitis D are discussed under relevant subheadings

Prevalence of oral lesions in Brazilian patients with tuberculosis.

Background : Oral lesions of tuberculosis (TB) are rare and usually associated with the secondary form of the disease. Aim : The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of oral lesions in a cohort of TB-infected individuals. Materials and Methods : The study was carried out in two reference centers for the treatment of TB in Recife, Brazil. All patients treated for TB in the period from July 2008 to March 2009 were included in the study. The data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Results : One hundred and twenty-one patients were included in the study. A marked male prevalence was observed, with a male:female ratio of 6.12:1. HIV coinfection was a common event (33%). Head and neck lesions of TB were rare. Cervical node enlargement was observed in seven individuals (5.8%) and oral ulceration in one patient (0.8%). Discussion : The low prevalence of oral lesions of TB is in accordance with other studies. Nodal involvement is the most common form of head and neck disease. Conclusion : While TB may be a common accompanying feature of HIV disease, orofacial complications of TB are rare in individuals resident in northern Brazil.

Cisto linfoepitelial em língua: relato de caso / Limphoepithelial cyst on tongue: a case report

O cisto linfoepitelial oral (CLEO) é uma lesão incomum da boca, que se desenvolve do tecido linfoide oral. Clinicamente apresenta-se como uma lesão nodular, que raramente apresenta mais de 1,5 cm em seu maior diâmetro. Possui coloração branco-amarelada, superfície regular, é mole à palpação e assintomático na maioria dos casos, embora possa apresentar tumefação e drenagem, se associado a episódios de trauma. A localização mais freqüente dessa lesão na cavidade oral é o assoalho de boca, seguido da superfície ventral e borda lateral de língua. O CLEO é encontrado em pacientes de várias faixas etárias, porém é mais comum em adultos jovens. Neste artigo, relatamos um caso de CLEO e revisamos a literatura sobre o tema.

The oral lymphoepithelial cyst (CLEO) is an uncommon injury in the oral cavity that develops oral lymphoid tissue. Clinically, it presents as a nodular lesion that rarely has more than 1.5 cm in its largest diameter. It has a whitish-yellow, soft on palpation and asymptomatic in most cases, and although there may be swelling and drainage are associated with episodes of trauma. The most frequent location of this lesion in the oral cavity is the mouth's floor followed by the ventral surface and lateral border of the tongue. The CLEO can be foundbe found in patients of diff erent ages but it is most common in young adults. In this paper, we report a case of oral lymphoepithelial cyst later, discussing the current literature regarding this lesion.

Morphological analysis of the enamel organ in rats treated with fluoxetine

Purpose: Previous studies have evaluated the presence of serotonin in the dental epithelia and mesenchyme during odontogenesis, suggesting its participation in tooth development. Materials and methods: Here, we used fluoxetine, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, at a dose of 10 mg/kg, administered for 20 days during pregnancy in 12 Wistar rats to examine the influence of this drug on the development of the enamel organ of the upper first molars of rat fetuses at 17 days of intra-uterine life (i.u.l.), and at one, five and ten days postpartum. The pregnant rats were anesthetized with xylazine at 10 mg/kg and ketamine at 25 mg/kg. The fetuses were removed and beheaded; their jaws were removed, and the upper jaws were exposed. The tissues were fixed in Bouin's fixative, decalcified in 5 percent nitric acid for 4 - 12 h, conventionally processed for microscopy, and embedded in paraffin. Serial sections of approximately 5 mm were obtained and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, as well as periodic acid-Schiff. Results and conclusion: Morphological analysis showed no structural changes in the experimental group compared to the controls, suggesting that, at the dose used, fluoxetine does not interfere with serotonin-mediated development of the enamel organ or the process of amelogenesis.

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the floor of the mouth mimicking an oral erythroleukoplakia: case report and review of literature

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is an uncommon and controversial epithelial neoplasm characterized by simultaneous and distinct areas of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Only few cases of oral adenosquamous carcinoma have been previously reported in the literature. It has been described as a squamous cell carcinoma subtype with a high infiltrative capacity. The majority of the patients suffer with early recurrence, local and distant metastases, and low survival rate. In this article, a case of ASC which was clinically similar to an oral leukoplakia is reported and the literature is reviewed. We underline the main histological features and the importance of the oral pathologist in the recognition of the squamous cell carcinoma subtypes.

Oral complications of HIV disease: [review]

Oral lesions are among the early signs of HIV infection and can predict its progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A better understanding of the oral manifestations of AIDS in both adults and children has implications for all health care professionals. The knowledge of such alterations would allow for early recognition of HIV-infected patients. The present paper reviews epidemiology, relevant aspects of HIV infection related to the mouth in both adults and children, as well as current trends in antiretroviral therapy and its connection with orofacial manifestations related to AIDS.

Ulcerative lesions of the mouth: an update for the general medical practitioner: [review]

Oral ulceration is a common complaint of patients attending out-patient clinics. Because of the diversity in causes of oral ulceration, patients presenting with oral mucosal disease can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Patients with signs or symptoms of oral ulcers are sometimes referred to gastroenterology clinics; however, in most instances the ulcers do not result from gastrointestinal disease. The aim of the present article is to review aspects of the etiology, diagnosis and management of common ulcerative disorders of the oral mucosa. A search in the National Library of Medicine computerized bibliographic database MEDLINE was performed. Selection of publications, extraction of data, and validity assessment were then performed by the authors. Based upon the searched literature, it is concluded that there are several systemic disorders that can present with similar clinical signs and symptoms, and knowledge of each disease is necessary for the clinician to provide proper management.

A ulceração oral é uma queixa comum dos pacientes que são atendidos em ambulatórios. Com freqüência é difícil estabelecer um diagnóstico preciso e atingir o controle dos sinais e sintomas dos pacientes que apresentam ulceração oral. Os pacientes acometidos por ulceração oral são eventualmente encaminhados para os ambulatórios de gastroenterologia, entretanto, a maioria das úlceras não reflete doença gastrointestinal, e sim desordens sistêmicas que podem se apresentar com sinais e sintomas clínicos similares. O objetivo do presente artigo foi revisar aspectos da etiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento das desordens ulcerativas mais comuns da mucosa oral. Foi realizada uma busca no banco de dados MEDLINE da National Library of Medicine. A seleção dos artigos, coleta de dados e julgamento em termos da pertinência de inclusão foram realizadas pelos autores. Baseado na literatura pesquisada, foi concluído que existem várias doenças sistêmicas que podem apresentar sinais e sintomas clínicos semelhantes e o conhecimento de cada doença poderá guiar o clínico para uma intervenção apropriada.

Oral manifestations of syphilis

A última década tem mostrado um aumento importante na prevalência de sífilis infecciosa nos países desenvolvidos e epidemias surgiram na Europa ocidental, particularmente no Reino Unido, bem como nos EUA. Embora as manifestações orais da sífilis sejam mais freqüentes na fase secundária da doença, todos os estágios podem apresentar lesões orais. A fase terciária da doença está associada a lesões orais significativas tais como destruição óssea associada à goma sifilítica e uma possível predisposição ao carcinoma espinocelular. Com o aumento da prevalência da sífilis infecciosa, há também um aumento gradual de crianças nascidas com sífilis congênita. Consequentemente esta patologia leva a anomalias faciais de ordem dentária, óssea, dermatológica e neurológica. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar as lesões orais associadas á sífilis, bem como discorrer brevemente sobre a relação entre a infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (human immunodeficiency virus - HIV) e a sífilis.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and the etiopathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma

OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature on human herpesvirus 8 with particular attention to the aspects related to the etiopathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors searched original research and review articles on specific aspects of human herpesvirus 8 infection, including virology, epidemiology, transmission, diagnosis, natural history, therapy, and Kaposi's sarcoma etiopathogenesis. The relevant material was evaluated and reviewed. RESULTS: Human herpesvirus 8 is a recently discovered DNA virus that is present throughout the world but with major geographic variation. In the Western world, the virus, transmitted mainly by means of sexual contact, is strongly associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and body cavity-based lymphoma and more controversially with multiple myeloma and other non-proliferative disorders. There is no specific effective treatment, but HIV protease inhibitors may play an indirect role in the clearance of human herpesvirus 8 DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV-infected patients. Human herpesvirus 8 DNA is present in saliva, but there are as yet no documented cases of nosocomial transmission to health care workers. The prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 among health care workers is probably similar to that in the general population. CONCLUSION: Human herpesvirus 8 appears to be, at least in Western Europe and United States, restricted to a population at risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma. Human herpesvirus 8 certainly has the means to overcome cellular control and immune responses and thus predispose carriers to malignancy, particularly Kaposi's sarcoma. The wide diffusion of Human herpesvirus 8 in classic Kaposi's sarcoma areas appears to represent an important factor in the high incidence of the disease. However, additional co-factors are likely to play a role in the development of Kaposi's sarcoma

Telediagnosis of oral disease / Telediagnóstico de doença bucal

Computers have increasingly found application in dentistry over the past 15 years, but at present there has been no investigation of the application of the Internet for distance diagnosis purposes in oral medicine. As a consequence, the objective of this article was to determine the acceptability to patient and clinician of the distant diagnosis of common orofacial diseases using the Internet. The study group comprised 20 patients who attended the Oral Medicine unit of the Eastman Dental Institute and Hospital, London, UK, for the diagnosis and manangement of oral mucosal diseases. Digital images of each patient's oral mucosal lesion were captured and stored on a personal computer and later transmitted via the Internet to a distant site. Patients were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire detailing their opinion of the use on an intra-oral camera and a group of clinicians were asked to compare and contrast the original and transmitted images. The majority of patients found the procedure of recording images of their mouth very comfortable, were happy to view the inside of their mouths, and found the procedure generally useful in understanding their clinical problem. The clinicians were often not able to differentiate between the original and transmitted image but were able to accurately diagnose the patient's oral mucosal problems in 64 percent of the instances. The results of the present study suggest that telediagnosis of orofacial disease may be a feasible prospect