Case Analysis and Systematic Review of Aspergilloma

Introduction: Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent fungal pathogen reported to cause diseases such as aspergilloma or aspergillosis in humans. Aspergillomas are commonly seen in a poorly drained and avascular cavitary space. Paranasal sinuses are most commonly involved, especially maxillary sinus. In the past two decades, the incidence of aspergillosis has increased substantially. Aims: To evaluate cases reported as aspergilloma of the maxillary sinus and to determine the percentage of cases involving aspergilloma of the maxillary sinus in healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: After the final full-text review,16 articles were included in this systematic review. Data extracted from these full-text articles was reviewed. Results: 83 % of cases had a history of dental procedures, with 42 % of those being due to infection from previous extraction sockets and 41 % due to root canal therapy (RCT). About 43% of the patients were immunocompromised, while 56% were healthy without any predisposing conditions. Conclusion: Aspergillus fungal infections of the paranasal sinuses are common and can occur in apparently healthy as well as immunocompromised individuals. Aspergilloma is the most common fungal infection involving the maxillary sinus with iatrogenic-dentogenic factors being predominant for initiation and progression of the infection. About 43% of the patients in this review were immunocompromised patients whereas 56% of the patients were healthy without any known predisposing condi- tions. The progression and prognosis of this disease depends on the location and immunologic status of the patient. So, it is very important for dentists to be cautious while performing any dental procedures so as not to initiate any iatrogenic infections.

Knowledge and Awareness about Chair-Side Diagnostic Techniques for the Screening of Suspicious Oral Lesions among General Dental Practitioners - A Cross-Sectional Survey

Introduction: General dental practitioners (GDPs) play an important role in screening and early detection of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) and oral cancer. Aim: This survey aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of general dental practitioners about chairside diagnostic techniques for screening of inflammatory oral lesions, potentially malignant lesions and oral cancer. Materials and Methods: GDPs (n=125) were surveyed about their knowledge about chairside diagnostic techniques for early detection and screening of suspicious oral lesions. The interview was based on a pre-structured questionnaire containing 14 closed ended questions. Chi square test was used for evaluating the association of survey parameters. Result: 95.2% of dentists do diagnosis and management of suspicious oral lesions along with chief complaints. There is a strong association between the educational status of GDPs and their method for management of suspicious oral lesions (p=0.002). 84.5% of the postgraduate GDPs are aware of chemiluminescence methods than graduate level GDPs (p =0.0009). Majority of the graduate GDPs are unaware of VELScope(p=0.0009). Usage of all non-invasive techniques was found to be less among graduate GDPs (p=0.002). Conclusion: The overall awareness of the dentists involved in the study were good and postgraduate GDPs are more aware and practically ahead about the non-invasive diagnostic techniques than graduate GDPs.

Volatile Organic Compounds in Human Breath

A comprehensive analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the exhaled breath sample is termed as breathomics. Breath samples are a complex mixture composed of a multitude of VOCs and other molecules. The analysis of total VOCs in exhaled breath provides a promising tool for the diagnosis of many diseases because it enables the observation of biochemical processes in the body in a non?invasive way. VOCs are produced in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions thus making it a potential biomarker for several diseases.

Quantitative analysis of copper levels in areca nut plantation area – A role in increasing prevalence of oral submucous fibrosis: An in vitro study

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) commonly seen in the South Asian countries is mostly associated with the chewing of areca nut (AN). Copper content in the AN has been implicated to play a major role in the pathogenesis of OSMF. It was found that most of the AN plantations in South India commonly use a copper-based fungicide, Bordeaux mixture (BM). Objective: To evaluate the level of copper in the AN, root, and soil of the AN plantation with and without the application of BM and to correlate the role of copper in the pathogenesis of OSMF. Materials and Methods: ANs, roots, and soil were obtained from plantations located in Tanniadi, Kerala. Four areas were selected from the plantation with and without BM application. The samples were collected twice with the interval of 6 months during January 2015 and July 2015, respectively. Statistical Analysis: Arithmetic mean and standard deviation were calculated. The differences between means were calculated by paired sample t-test. Results: There was statistically significant difference in the copper content of ANs, soil, and roots from both groups (P < 0.05). Samples treated with BM showed significantly higher copper levels as compared to their counterparts in January and July 2015. Conclusions: External copper from BM and increased processing for the commercial products could collectively increase the total copper content of the commercial AN products, and this high copper concentration may be implicated to the pathogenesis and the increasing prevalence of OSMF.

Salivary characteristics of diabetic children

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the levels of glucose, cholesterol, protein and albumin in saliva, and to correlate the levels of glucose of the saliva to oral health and blood glucose of diabetic and non-diabetic children. Methods: 32 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus formed the study group (DC) and 32 non-diabetic children formed the control group (ND). Thepatients had their saliva collected and evaluated for glucose, cholesterol, total protein and albumin. Blood glucose analysis was also performed. The dental health status of the subjects was measured by DMFT index and def index. Independent Student’s t-test was performed to compare metabolic status values in DC and ND groups. Correlation test was applied between blood glucose and salivary glucose (Spearman’s correlation), and salivary glucose and DMFT/def (Spearman’stest). Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between DC and ND considering salivary glucose (p=0.000). Elevated levels of cholesterol were evident in DC in correlation with ND. Total protein and albumin had increased values in DC (nonsignificant p value). The dental health status was not statistically different. Conclusions: Salivary parameters can act as adjuncts in assessing the overall metabolic status of the patient.