A comparative study of oral candidal species carriage in patients with type1 and type2 diabetes mellitus.

CONTEXT: Diabetes mellitus can have profound effects upon the oral tissues especially in patients with poor glycemic control being prone to severe and/or recurrent infections particularly candidiasis. The main aim was to study the association between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus and candidal carriage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design comprised of previously diagnosed 30 patients each with type 1 diabetes mellitus (Group A) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (Group B) and 30 age-, sex- and dental status-matched healthy non-diabetic individuals as controls (Group C). The saliva samples were collected and inoculated onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and chromogenic agar culture medium. Candidal colony forming units per ml (CFU/ml) values were determined. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed by χ(2) test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Spearman's rank correlation and Karl Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Data analysis showed statistically significant higher positive candidal growth in Group A and Group B when compared to Group C. The CFU/ml values were significantly higher in Groups A and B as compared with Group C. Significant positive correlation of CFU/ml with fasting blood sugar level and HbA1c% in both Groups A and B was seen. Oral signs and symptoms observed in diabetics were dry mouth, burning sensation, fissuring and atrophic changes of tongue and erythematous areas, which positively correlated with candidal load. CONCLUSION: The glycemic control status of the diabetic patients may directly influence candidal colonization. The quantitative and biochemical characterization allows better insight into the study of association of diabetes mellitus and candida.

Wound healing property of ethanolic extract of leaves of Hyptis suaveolens with supportive role of antioxidant enzymes.

Ethanolic extract of leaves of Hyptis suaveolens was evaluated for its wound healing activity in ether-anaesthetized Wistar rats at two different doses (400 and 800 mg/kg) using incision, excision, and dead space wound model. Significant increase in skin breaking strength, granuloma breaking strength, wound contraction, hydroxyproline content and dry granuloma weight and decrease in epithelization period was observed. A supportive study made on granuloma tissue to estimate the levels of catalase and superoxide dismutase recorded a significant increase in the level of these antioxidant enzymes. Granuloma tissue was subjected to histopathological examination to determine the pattern of lay-down for collagen using Van Gieson and Masson Trichrome stains. Enhanced wound healing activity may be due to free radical scavenging action of the plant and enhanced level of antioxidant enzymes in granuloma tissue. Better collagenation may be because of improved antioxidant studies.

Fine needle aspiration diagnosis in HIV-related lymphadenopathy in Mangalore, India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of fine needle aspiration (FNA) study of lymph nodes in HIV-positive patients. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. Samples from lymph nodes of 48 HIV-positive patients were taken and air dried, and wet smears were made. After staining with routine cytologic stains and special stains, detailed cytomorphologic study was conducted. RESULTS: Tuberculosis accounted for nearly half (48%) the cases,followed by HIV lymphadenitis (36%), lymphoma (10%), suppurative lymphadenitis (2%), Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare lymphadenitis (2%) and metastases (2%), in descending order of their frequency. A suppurative picture, which was found in 13% of cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis in AIDS patients, occasionally was misleading without the help of acid fast bacilli stain. CONCLUSION: FNA is a useful tool in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in HIV-positive patients provided that proper safety measures are taken to avoid contracting the infection.