Candida albicans Modulates Murine and Human Beta Defensin-1 during Vaginitis.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) are two forms of a disease caused by Candida spp. ß-defensin (BD) is one of the most important families of antimicrobial peptides in the female genital tract and includes molecules that exert essential local functions as antimicrobial and PMN chemoattractant peptides. However, the information on their role during murine and human VVC and RVVC is limited. Thus, we analyzed the behavior and contribution of BD1 to the local response in a VVC mice model and the local cytokine profile and human BD1 and BD3 expression in cervicovaginal lavage from patients with VVC and RVVC. We demonstrated that, in patients with RVVC BD1, mRNA and protein expression were severely diminished and that the aspartate proteinase and lipase secreted by C. albicans are involved in that decrease. This study provides novel information about the pathogenesis of VVC and describes a highly efficient C. albicans escape strategy for perpetuating the infection; these results may contribute to the development of new or combined treatment approaches.

Comparative study of preventive protocols in children at high cariogenic risk.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two preventive protocols -fluoride gel (F) alone or combined with chlorhexidine varnishes (CHX) - on sialochemical, clinical and microbiological parameters in a group of children at high cariogenic risk Two therapeutic-preventive protocols were applied in 73 children at high cariogenic risk (average age 6.2 +/- 1.4 years old) and clinical parameters (simplified oral hygiene index: OHI-S; decayed, missing and filled teeth: dmf index; sugar intake and exposure to fluoride), as well as sialochemical parameters (salivary pH and flow, buffer capacity) and microbiological parameters (CFU/mg of dental biofilm of Streptococcus mutans group) were recorded and correlated before and after the protocols. Association was found between parameters that cause deficient control of dental biofilm: high values of OHIS index, CFU/mg dental biofilm, sugar intake and the d component of dmft index, and lower values of salivary flow rate and buffer capacity. After the protocols, a significant decrease was found in OHI-S and CFU/mg dental biofilm. No significant difference was found with children's gender and age. The association observed between OHI-S and cariogenic bacteria emphasizes the importance of prevention, especially regarding the oral health of the most vulnerable children. The early inclusion of F associated with CHX in the initial step of preventive and therapeutic protocols would provide benefits regarding oral microbe control while children acquire new habits of oral hygiene.

Comparative study of preventive protocols in children at high cariogenic risk

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia de dos protocolos preventivos - fluoruro (F) sólo o combinando conclorhexidina (CHX)- sobre indicadores clínicos, sialoquímicos y microbiológicos, en una población de niños de altoriesgo cariogénico. Se aplicaron dos protocolos terapéutico-preventivos en 73 niños en edad escolar de alto riesgo cariogénico y se determinarony correlacionaron parámetros clínicos (índice de higiene oral simplificado IHO-S, ceo-d, consumo de azúcar y exposición a fluoruros), sialoquímicos (pH y flujo salival, capacidad amortiguadora) y microbiológicos (UFC/mg de biofilm dental de Streptococcus grupo mutans) antes y después de la aplicación de los tratamientos. Se observó una asociación entre los parámetros que producenuna deficiente control de placa bacteriana: altos valores de IHO-S, de UFC/mg biofilm dental, de consumo de azúcar, del componente c del índice ceo-d y los menores valores de flujo salival y de capacidad amortiguadora. Luego de la aplicación de los tratamientos, se observó una disminución significativade IHO-S y UFC/mg biofilm dental. No se observaron diferencias significativas con el género y la edad de los niños.La asociación observada entre los niveles de higiene oral y de bacterias cariogénicas enfatiza la importancia de la prevención y atención de la salud de los niños más vulnerables. La incorporación del F asociada a la CHX en la etapa inicial de los protocolos terapéutico-preventivos ofrecería tempranamente beneficios en el control microbiano mientras se incorporan hábitos de higiene oral.

Comparative study of preventive protocols in children at high cariogenic risk

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia de dos protocolos preventivos - fluoruro (F) sólo o combinando conclorhexidina (CHX)- sobre indicadores clínicos, sialoquímicos y microbiológicos, en una población de niños de altoriesgo cariogénico. Se aplicaron dos protocolos terapéutico-preventivos en 73 niños en edad escolar de alto riesgo cariogénico y se determinarony correlacionaron parámetros clínicos (índice de higiene oral simplificado IHO-S, ceo-d, consumo de azúcar y exposición a fluoruros), sialoquímicos (pH y flujo salival, capacidad amortiguadora) y microbiológicos (UFC/mg de biofilm dental de Streptococcus grupo mutans) antes y después de la aplicación de los tratamientos. Se observó una asociación entre los parámetros que producenuna deficiente control de placa bacteriana: altos valores de IHO-S, de UFC/mg biofilm dental, de consumo de azúcar, del componente c del índice ceo-d y los menores valores de flujo salival y de capacidad amortiguadora. Luego de la aplicación de los tratamientos, se observó una disminución significativade IHO-S y UFC/mg biofilm dental. No se observaron diferencias significativas con el género y la edad de los niños.La asociación observada entre los niveles de higiene oral y de bacterias cariogénicas enfatiza la importancia de la prevención y atención de la salud de los niños más vulnerables. La incorporación del F asociada a la CHX en la etapa inicial de los protocolos terapéutico-preventivos ofrecería tempranamente beneficios en el control microbiano mientras se incorporan hábitos de higiene oral.(AU)

Alterations of the oral ecosystem in children with celiac disease.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this work is to evaluate the alterations of the oral ecosystem in symptomatic children with celiac disease (CD), to establish a particular pattern of oral markers that can be used as presumptive diagnosis of CD. MATERIAL & METHODS: A sample of n=52 children with CD diagnosis according to the modified criteria of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (ESPGAN), 1990, was studied. A dental clinical evaluation of soft and hard tissues was performed. Saliva samples were obtained; in which buffer capacity, total proteins, calcium and phosphate were measured and SDS PAGE 12% electrophoretic profiles were performed. In addition, oral mucosa smears were collected by brushing. RESULTS: Low frequency of enamel structural alterations was found, particularly in the permanent teeth of children with CD. These alterations had characteristics of chronological coherence (31.7%), bilateralism (26.8%) and symmetry (29.23%). The celiac smears in the celiac group (20%) showed signifcant presence of polymorphic nuclei and free nuclei. The celiac group had significant differences in buffer capacity, IgA levels, minute volume, calcium and Ca/P ratio (p<0.05). The protein profiles of CD children showed the absence of bands of low, medium and high molecular weight. CONCLUSION: Our results enable us to develop an alteration pattern corresponding to the oral ecosystem of CD children. In the CD patients, the most relevant variables were tooth enamel alterations, oral mucosa morphology, and modifications of salivary parameters, which would enable the dentist to refer these patients to specialist physician.