Impact of gingivitis on oral health-related quality of life in 12-year-old schoolchildren of Quito, Ecuador.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the impact of gingivitis on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) amongst 12-year-old schoolchildren from Quito, Ecuador. METHODS: We evaluated 998 school children using the Community Periodontal Index for gingival bleeding and calculus. OHRQoL was assessed with the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 (CPQ11-14) questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 998 schoolchildren, 93% had gingival bleeding and 73% had dental calculus. Schoolchildren with more than one sextant with gingival bleeding had 1.18 times higher mean CPQ11-14 (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.11-1.27) than those with none or just one affected sextant. Male schoolchildren presented a 15% lower mean Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) (RT 0.85; 95% CI 0.76-0.96). Children whose parents had incomplete secondary education had a 15% lower mean CPQ (RT 0.85; 95% CI 0.77-0.94). Bleeding in more than one sextant was significantly associated with worse quality of life in the emotional well-being (RT 1.40, 95% CI 1.03-1.90) and social well-being domains (RT 1.76, 95% CI 1.32-2.34). CONCLUSION: Gingival bleeding negatively impacted the OHRQoL of 12-year-old Ecuadorian schoolchildren living in Quito.

Periodontitis as a risk factor for head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis may be associated with the development of head and neck cancer (HNC). A literature review was conducted to understand the possible association between them. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Articles published in the PubMed database from January 1999 and May 2020 were retrieved. Limitations of the studies and biological mechanisms were discussed. RESULTS: A total of 4,232 articles were found. Of these, 13 were analyzed according to inclusion criteria. Most papers found some association between periodontitis and HNC, although differences in periodontal evaluation, sample size, study design and tumor sites were observed. Porphyromonas gingivalis appears to increase the chance of both diseases, and it may be one of their main potential risk factors. Genetic predisposition is increased by exposure to environmental factors which can directly induce epigenetic changes that contribute to these diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the mechanisms related to periodontitis and HNC has increased, however, well-designed clinical studies are needed for better conclusions. Furthermore, the advent of multiple "omic" technologies will help comprehend their possible association.

One-year follow-up of the immune profile in serum and selected sites of generalized and localized aggressive periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The local and systemic immunological profiles of important inflammatory mediators in the localized (LAgP) and generalized (GAgP) forms of aggressive periodontitis are still unknown, as well as the effect of periodontal therapy on these parameters. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate clinical and immune responses of patients with AgP undergoing nonsurgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with GAgP, 10 with LAgP and 10 healthy participants were included in this study. AgP participants were submitted to scaling and root planing plus systemic antibiotics (amoxicillin and metronidazole). At baseline and 1-year follow-up were measured clinical parameters, such as probing depth [PD] and clinical attachment loss [CAL], and the levels of 10 immunological mediators (GM-CSF, M-CSF, MCP-1, ICAM-1, CXCL8, IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-4, and IL-10) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of selected sites [AgP forms: PD ≥ 6 mm or the deepest, bleeding on probing (BoP) and bone loss measured by periapical radiography; healthy individuals: PD ≤ 3 mm, no BoP, no bone loss] and serum. RESULTS: After periodontal treatment both forms of AgP presented a significant reduction of PD and CAL, an increase of GM-CSF, ICAM-1, MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-17, IL-4, and IL-10 in the GCF, as well as of GM-CSF and IL-4 in the serum, and a reduction in the serum concentration of IL-1ß. Serum levels of M-CSF, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 remained significantly below those found in healthy individuals in both forms of AgP even after therapy. An increase in the systemic or local levels of MCP-1, ICAM-1 and the anti-inflammatory profile (IL-4, IL-10) was correlated with an improvement in clinical parameters of LAgP patients. Also, a local reduction of IL-1ß levels in both forms of AgP was correlated with an increase in the clinical attachment gain. CONCLUSION: Nonsurgical periodontal therapy was successful in improving clinical parameters and modulating the immune response in both forms of AgP. However, this therapeutic approach does not seem to affect the deficient level of important serum mediators involved in mechanisms of cell transmigration.

Immunological and microbiological periodontal profiles in isolated growth hormone deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Growth hormone (GH) has been identified as an important regulator of the immune response. We have previously shown that adults with isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) due to a mutation in the GH releasing hormone receptor (GHRHR) gene, have a greater chance of having periodontitis. However, the interaction of GH with periodontal tissues is still unknown, and this population has emerged as a unique model to investigate this issue. Therefore, we evaluated the microbiological and immunological periodontal profiles of such individuals. METHODS: Nineteen IGHD and 19 controls matched by age, sex, diabetes, and smoking status, were enrolled in this case-control study. Periodontal clinical parameters (probing depth [PD] and clinical attachment loss [AL]) were measured at six sites per tooth. Immune mediators (C-reactive protein, matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-8, MMP-9, interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, adiponectin, and leptin) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in four non-adjacent sites for each participant (two with PD ≤3 mm [shallow sites] and two with PD ≥7 mm or the worst PD found in the mouth [deep sites]). Bacterial quantification (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia) of subgingival biofilm samples collected from these same sites was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: IGHD individuals presented higher values of PD and AL, and increased levels of CRP, IL-8, MMP-8, and adiponectin in the GCF. Bacterial quantification did not identify differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: IGHD alters the local immune response in periodontal pockets leading to greater attachment loss, and GH stands out as an important hormone to be evaluated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Efficacy of local phytotherapy in the nonsurgical treatment of periodontal disease: A systematic review.

Herbal drugs are commonly used in the treatment of several diseases, including periodontitis. So far, no systematic review had evaluated the evidence regarding the efficacy of these agents in the treatment of periodontal disease. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to evaluate the effect of local application of phytotherapic agents as adjuncts to scaling and root planing (SRP), compared to SRP alone, on clinical parameters of chronic periodontal patients. Only randomized controlled trials of at least 3 months follow-up, of SRP alone in association with local phytotherapic agents were included. MEDLINE (PubMed), Google Scholar and LILACS databases were searched for articles published up to October 2016. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for clinical attachment level and probing pocket depth (PPD) change after treatment. Of 1861 papers potentially relevant, 7 were included. All studies showed that periodontal treatment in association with local phytotherapic delivery promotes a significant PPD reduction and the majority of them showed clinical attachment level gain. The local use of phytotherapy as an adjunct to SRP may promote additional benefits in PPD reduction and clinical attachment level gain. However, these results must be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, high risk of bias and heterogeneity of the studies.

Does the adjunctive use of statins provide additional benefits to nonsurgical periodontal treatment? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Adjunctive therapeutic agents may be used to improve the response to nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Local delivery of statins (simvastatin, artovastatin and rosuvastatin) is a promising adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP). Thus, the aim of this review is to evaluate if adjunctive local delivery of statins is more effective than SRP alone. Randomized clinical trials that presented a test group evaluating local delivery of statins as adjuncts in healthy, diabetic and smoking patients were included. Medline and the Cochrane library database were searched up to November 2016. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted for pocket depth change and clinical attachment gain. One hundred and twenty-five studies potentially related to the aim of this review were screened, but only 10 were included. The majority of the trials reported additional clinical benefits in the groups that were treated with adjunctive local delivery of statins. Pooled calculations showed that local delivery of statins resulted in additional reduction of pocket depth and clinical attachment gain in healthy people, smokers and diabetic patients. Local statins may offer additional clinical benefits to SRP, even in smokers and diabetics.

First phylogenetic analysis of dengue virus serotype 4 circulating in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, in 2013 and 2014.

The purpose of the present study was to reconstruct the phylogeny of dengue virus serotype 4 (DENV-4) that was circulating in Espírito Santo state, Brazil, in 2013 and 2014, and to discuss the epidemiological implications associated with this evolutionary hypothesis. Partial envelope gene of eight DENV-4 samples from Espírito Santo state were sequenced and aligned with 72 worldwide DENV-4 reference sequences from GenBank. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed through Bayesian Inference and the Time of the Most Recent Common Ancestor was estimated. The study detected the circulation of DENV-4 genotype II in Espírito Santo state, which was closely related to strains from the states of Mato Grosso collected in 2012 and of São Paulo sampled in 2015. This cluster emerged around 2011, approximately 4 years after the entry of the genotype II in Brazil through its northern states, possibly imported from Venezuela and Colombia. This is so far the first phylogenetic study of the DENV-4 circulating in Espírito Santo state and shows the importance of an internal route of dengue viral circulation in Brazil to the introduction of the virus into this state.

Dental implant loss in older versus younger patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate implant loss in younger and older patients. An electronic search of four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and the Cochrane Library) was undertaken until May 2016 without time restriction and was supplemented by manual searching. Prospective cohorts were included if they met the following criteria: (i) presence of an exposed group (older subjects) with a minimum age of 60 years; (ii) presence of a control group (younger subjects) with a maximum age of 59 years; and (iii) outcome data considering implant survival or loss. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of ageing on implant failure. Of 4152 potentially eligible articles, four were included in the qualitative analysis and quantitative synthesis. The pooled estimates suggest that the risk of implant loss in older patients is not significantly higher (RR = 0·92; 95% CI 0·43-1·96, P = 0·83) when compared to younger subjects. This systematic review suggests that age is not a limiting factor for dental implant therapy.

The influence of statins on osseointegration: a systematic review of animal model studies.

Recent research data have suggested that the beneficial action of statins in bone tissue could improve osseointegration around titanium implants by increasing the bone implant contact (BIC), the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the influence of statins on osseointegration of titanium implants in animal studies. Two reviewers searched independently four databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE and the Cochrane Library), until March 15, 2016. The Cochrane Collaboration's Tool for Assessing Risk of Bias was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Papers that reported outcome data considering bone implant contact (BIC), mechanical tests or other histological evaluation were eligible for inclusion. 312 references were eletronically retrieved, 21 full-text papers were screened and 17 studies were included. Thirteen trials presented histomorphometry data on bone implant contact measures. All of them showed a significant improved BIC when using statins. Despite data from included studies point to beneficial effects, standardized studies and with less risk of bias, are needed to clarify the role of statins on osseointegration.

Pre-transplant shedding of BK virus in urine is unrelated to post-transplant viruria and viremia in kidney transplant recipients.

BK virus-(BKV) associated nephropathy (BKVN) is a major cause of allograft injury in kidney transplant recipients. In such patients, subclinical reactivation of latent BKV infection can occur in the pre-transplant period. The purpose of this study was to determine whether urinary BKV shedding in the immediate pre-transplant period is associated with a higher incidence of viruria and viremia during the first year after kidney transplantation. We examined urine samples from 34 kidney transplant recipients, using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect BKV. Urine samples were obtained in the immediate pre-transplant period and during the first year after transplant on a monthly basis. If BKV viruria was detected, blood samples were collected and screened for BKV viremia. In the immediate pre-transplant period, we detected BKV viruria in 11 (32.3%) of the 34 recipients. During the first year after transplantation, we detected BKV viruria in all 34 patients and viremia in eight (23.5%). We found no correlation between pre-transplant viruria and post-transplant viruria or viremia (p = 0.2). Although reactivation of latent BKV infection in the pre-transplant period is fairly common among kidney transplant recipients, it is not a risk factor for post-transplant BKV viruria or viremia.

Evaluation of human and microbial DNA content in subgingival plaque samples collected by paper points or curette.

Host DNA may adversely affect metagenomic studies focusing on the prokaryotic microbiota. This study compared the levels of host DNA in subgingival plaque collected by paper points and curette, using quantitative PCR. Lower proportions of host DNA and higher proportions of bacterial DNA were recovered from samples collected with curettes.

Evaluation of periodontitis in hospital outpatients with major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Major depressive disorder (MDD) has been associated with alterations in the neuroendocrine system and immune function and may be associated with an increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease, cancer and autoimmune/inflammatory disease. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between periodontitis and MDD in a convenience sample of hospital outpatients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 72 physically healthy subjects (36 outpatients with MDD and 36 age-matched controls [± 3 years]). Patients with bipolar disorder, eating disorders and psychotic disorders were excluded. Probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were recorded at six sites per tooth. Depression was assessed by means of Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. RESULTS: Extent of clinical attachment level and probing pocket depth were not different between controls and subjects with depression for the following thresholds: ≥ 3 mm (Mann-Whitney, p = 0.927 and 0.756); ≥ 4 mm (Mann-Whitney, p = 0.656 and 0.373); ≥ 5 mm (Mann-Whitney, p = 0.518 and 0.870);, and ≥ 6 mm (Mann-Whitney, p = 0.994 and 0.879). Depression parameters were not associated with clinical attachment level ≥ 5 mm in this sample. Smoking was associated with loss of attachment ≥ 5 mm in the multivariable logistic regression model (odds ratio = 6.99, 95% confidence interval = 2.00-24.43). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, periodontal clinical parameters were not different between patients with MDD and control subjects. There was no association between depression and periodontitis.

Assessment of linear measurements of bone for implant sites in the presence of metallic artefacts using cone beam computed tomography and multislice computed tomography.

The objective was to evaluate the influence of dental metallic artefacts on implant sites using multislice and cone-beam computed tomography techniques. Ten dried human mandibles were scanned twice by each technique, with and without dental metallic artefacts. Metallic restorations were placed at the top of the alveolar ridge adjacent to the mental foramen region for the second scanning. Linear measurements (thickness and height) for each cross-section were performed by a single examiner using computer software. All mandibles were analysed at both the right and the left mental foramen regions. For the multislice technique, dental metallic artefact produced an increase of 5% in bone thickness and a reduction of 6% in bone height; no significant differences (p>0.05) were detected when comparing measurements performed with and without metallic artefacts. With respect to the cone-beam technique, dental metallic artefact produced an increase of 6% in bone thickness and a reduction of 0.68% in bone height. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed when comparing measurements performed with and without metallic artefacts. The presence of dental metallic artefacts did not alter the linear measurements obtained with both techniques, although its presence made the location of the alveolar bone crest more difficult.

Headache features in patients with dengue virus infection.

The aim of this study was to describe the frequency and features of headache among patients with confirmed dengue virus infection and to compare the headache features in patients with dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever, primary and secondary dengue infection, and patients with and without neurological involvement. Patients with classic dengue fever had a more intense headache than those with the more severe form of the disease, dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Persistence of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity after systemic eradication therapy.

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate if the oral cavity of chronic periodontitis patients can harbor Helicobacter pylori after systemic eradication therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Samples of 30 patients (15 with gingivitis and 15 with chronic periodontitis) positive for H. pylori in the stomach were evaluated. Samples were collected 3 months after triple systemic antibiotic therapy from saliva, microbiota from the dorsum of the tongue, supra- and sub-gingival plaque as well as gastric biopsies. DNA of each sample was extracted by the boiling method and used as a template in polymerase chain reaction with the primers JW22/23. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (60%) harboured H. pylori in their mouths. Five patients (16.6%) were positive in saliva, two (6.6%) on the dorsum of the tongue, nine (30%) in supra-gingival plaque, 14 (46.6%) in sub-gingival plaque and three (10%) in the stomach. There was no statistically significant difference between study groups. CONCLUSION: Eradication of H. pylori after therapy was more effective for the stomach than for the mouth (p<0.001). Mouths of patients with gingivitis or with chronic periodontitis, who are positive for H. pylori in their stomachs, may be considered as reservoirs of these bacteria.

JC virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid samples from Brazilian AIDS patients with focal brain lesions without mass effect.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the presence of JC virus DNA in CSF samples from Brazilian AIDS patients with focal lesions of CNS white matter without mass effect compatible with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). METHODS: CSF samples from AIDS patients with neurological symptoms and a CT scan showing focal lesions of CNS white matter without mass effect suggestive of PML, and from AIDS and non-AIDS patients with non-PML neurological diseases were tested for JC virus DNA by PCR. The primers used to amplify the T antigen region of the JC virus resulted in a 173-bp fragment. The presence of the JC virus was confirmed by digestion of the PCR product using BamH1. RESULTS: The PCR for JCV DNA was negative in 119/120 non-PML CSF samples (specificity =99.2%). Of 56 CSF samples from AIDS patients with focal lesions of CNS white matter without mass effect, JCV DNA was positive in 48.2% (27/56). In 23/29 (79.3%) JCV DNA-negative cases, other causes for the encephalitic lesions were found. No JCV DNA-positive cases showed other diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of JCV DNA by PCR in CSF samples from Brazilian AIDS patients with focal brain lesions, without mass effect was 48.2%. In these patients, a negative JCV PCR is highly suggestive of other neurological conditions.

The benefit of influenza vaccination after bone marrow transplantation.

Influenza vaccine is recommended yearly for recipients after the sixth month of BMT. Although a higher risk of complications of influenza is expected to occur in BMT patients, no study has addressed the clinical efficacy of influenza vaccination in this setting. Focusing on the clinical benefits of influenza vaccination, we evaluated the risk factors for influenza infection in a cohort of 177 BMT recipients followed up for 1 year. Influenza was diagnosed in 39 patients. Multivariate analyses showed that seasonal exposure and more aggressive conditioning regimens were independently associated with increased risk for influenza. Influenza vaccination and steroid use showed a protective role. Of the 43 patients who had received BMT longer than 6 months, 19 were vaccinated (compliance rate = 44.2%) and vaccine efficacy was 80%. We conclude that influenza vaccination plays an important role in protecting BMT recipients against influenza and all efforts should be made to ensure good compliance with vaccination.

Seroprevalence of human herpesvirus 8 infection in children born to HIV-1-infected women in São Paulo, Brazil.

Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) appears to be transmitted mainly by sexual contact. However, several studies suggest that in developing countries the infection may be acquired early in life by routes other than sexual transmission. The present study estimated the seroprevalence of HHV-8 in Brazilian children born to HIV-1-infected mothers. The serum samples were collected in a cross-sectional cohort study from 99 children born to HIV-infected mothers (median age 3.27 years; range 1.5-13.8 years) attending the outpatient clinic of the Federal University of Sao Paulo. IgG antibodies to HHV-8 latency-associated nuclear antigen and lytic phase antigens were detected by immunofluorescence assays. The samples tested were collected from children aged 12 months or older to exclude the possibility of cross-placental antibody transport. The total prevalence of anti-lytic antibodies in this population (5/99; 5%) reveals that HHV-8 infection can occur during childhood. Children aged 1.5 to 2 years had a seroprevalence of 2% (1/50) and children aged 3.25 to 13.8 years had a seroprevalence of 8% (4/49). This difference was not statistically significant, probably because of the small size of the sample, but it suggests that HHV-8 infection occurs more commonly late in infancy. Further prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the timing and risk factors for primary HHV-8 infection in the pediatric population.