ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 virus interacts with host cells through the S1 domain of its spike protein. This study measures the IgG immune response to this domain in COVID-19 patients from Kerala, India, and explores its association with various health factors. METHODS: A cohort of 258 COVID-19 patients was analyzed for IgG antibodies targeting the S1 spike protein domain. The temporal pattern of the IgG response and its correlation with hospitalization needs, intensive care, and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease were assessed. RESULTS: A significant IgG response (76.4%) was detected, indicating robust immune activation post-infection. The IgG levels peaked between two to four and four to eight weeks post-infection, with a notable increase at 12 weeks, hinting at possible secondary exposure or an immune memory response. No correlation was found between IgG levels and the presence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or coronary artery disease. However, higher IgG responses correlated with the severity of the infection, as seen in patients requiring hospitalization or intensive care. CONCLUSIONS: The IgG response to the S1 spike protein domain serves as a potential marker of immune activation in COVID-19. It reflects the body's defense mechanism against the virus and may predict disease severity and outcomes. The findings suggest that IgG levels could be indicative of the viral load, inflammatory response, and possibly the likelihood of protection against reinfection.
ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this in vivo study is to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2), chlorhexidine (CHX), and metronidazole gel as intracanal medicaments against aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms found in root canals of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. SETTING AND DESIGN: It is a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulp canals of 45 single-rooted primary maxillary anterior teeth with pulp necrosis in 34 children were included in the study. They were divided into three groups of 15 samples each: Group I: Ca(OH)2; Group II: 1% CHX gel; and Group III: 1% metronidazole gel. Microbial count was obtained from each tooth at two different stages - (1) after instrumentation and (2) after placement of the medication. Statistical analysis using the SPSS 10.0 software program (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) with Wilcoxon signed-rank test after grouping the samples was performed. RESULTS: Ca(OH)2, 1% CHX gel, and 1% metronidazole gel were ineffective in completely eliminating aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganism from root canal of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. CONCLUSION: None of the commonly used intracanal medicaments, that is Ca(OH)2, 1% CHX gel, and 1% metronidazole gel, was effective in completely eliminating aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganism from root canal of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. Ineffectiveness of these medicaments against aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganism has opened new door of research regarding the manner of bacterial growth in unfavorable environmental and nutritional conditions, the way root canal environment favors biofilm formation and the use of suitable intracanal medicaments against single and multispecies biofilms.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents, Local/therapeutic use , Dental Pulp Necrosis/drug therapy , Dental Pulp Necrosis/microbiology , Dental Pulp/microbiology , Root Canal Irrigants/therapeutic use , Calcium Hydroxide/therapeutic use , Child , Child, Preschool , Chlorhexidine/therapeutic use , Double-Blind Method , Female , Gels , Humans , Male , Metronidazole/therapeutic use , Ointments , Tooth, DeciduousABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Candida has been associated with cases of secondary and persistent root canal infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of commonly used intracanal medicament against Candida biofilms found in root canals of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulp canals of 45 single-rooted primary maxillary anterior teeth with pulp necrosis in 34 children were included in the study. They were divided into three groups of 15 samples each - group I: Ca(OH)2 (calcium hydroxide); group II: 1% chlorhexidine gel (CHX); and group III: 1% metronidazole gel. Bacterial count was obtained from each tooth at two different stages: (1) after instrumentation, and (2) after placement of the medication. Statistical analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 10.0 software program (Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) with Wilcoxon signed rank test after grouping the samples was performed. RESULTS: Ca(OH)2, 1% CHX gel, and 1% metronidazole gel were ineffective in completely eliminating Candida biofilms from root canal of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. CONCLUSION: None of the commonly used intracanal medicaments, i.e., Ca(OH)2, 1% CHX gel, and 1% metronidazole gel, was effective in completely eliminating Candida biofilm from root canal of human primary teeth with necrotic pulp. Ineffectiveness of these medicaments against Candida has opened new door of research regarding the use of suitable intracanal medicaments against single and multispecies biofilms. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Paikkatt JV, Sreedharan S, Philomina B, Kannan VP, Santhakumar M, Kumar TVA. Efficacy of Various Intracanal Medicaments in Human Primary Teeth with Necrotic Pulp against Candida Biofilms: An in vivo Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(1):45-48.
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We describe 2 cases of Mycobacterium massiliense infection after cardiac surgery. A 68-year-old man developed high-grade fever and sternal wound infection 5 weeks after aortic valve replacement. He was discharged after antibiotic treatment but readmitted with pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root. He succumbed to hemorrhage 2 weeks after reoperation. A 7-year-old boy developed endocarditis after atrial septal defect patch repair, and underwent replacement of the patch. Samples from both patients grew Mycobacterium massiliense.
Subject(s)
Aneurysm, False/microbiology , Aneurysm, Infected/microbiology , Aortic Aneurysm/microbiology , Cardiac Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/microbiology , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/pathogenicity , Surgical Wound Infection/microbiology , Aged , Aneurysm, False/diagnosis , Aneurysm, False/therapy , Aneurysm, Infected/diagnosis , Aneurysm, Infected/therapy , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Aortic Aneurysm/diagnosis , Aortic Aneurysm/therapy , Aortic Valve/surgery , Child, Preschool , Endocarditis, Bacterial/diagnosis , Endocarditis, Bacterial/therapy , Fatal Outcome , Heart Septal Defects, Atrial/surgery , Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/diagnosis , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/therapy , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/isolation & purification , Reoperation , Sternotomy/adverse effects , Surgical Wound Infection/diagnosis , Surgical Wound Infection/therapy , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Non-resolving pneumonia leading to lung abscess is always a challenge to the treating physician especially in a diabetic patient. Atypical radiological features of lung abscess should raise the suspicion of unusual organisms. This is a case report of a 42 year old diabetic male presented with features suggestive of lung abscess and multiple target organ damage. Subsequent work up revealed that the etiological agent is a rare fungus - Basidiobolus. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of Basidiobolus lung abscess reported from India.
