Prevalence of actinic cheilitis in a population of agricultural sugarcane workers.

Actinic cheilitis (AC) is a pre-malignant inflammatory reaction of the lips caused by continuous exposure to solar rays. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of AC in a population of sugarcane workers in Brazil. 1,539 individuals who were exposed to the sun during working hours and 150 individuals who were not exposed were screened for clinical signs of AC. The sample was classified according to years of exposure to the sun, ethnicity, gender smoking and severity of the lesion. A 9.16% (n= 141) prevalence of AC was observed among the population which had been exposed to the sun. The prevalence of AC lesions was significantly higher among individuals who had been exposed to the sun for more than 10 years than among those who had been exposed for less than 10 years, and among Caucasians and males than non-Caucasians and females. It was concluded that the severity of the lesions was associated with time of exposure to the sun.

Helicobacter pylori transiently in the mouth may participate in the transmission of infection.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. The oral cavity may be a reservoir for H. pylori; however, the results of studies on this subject are controversial. We employed single-step and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to detect the presence of the vacA, ureA and 16S rDNA genes of H. pylori in the stomach, saliva and dental plaque of 30 subjects. The results were confirmed by sequencing. Nested 16S rDNA and ureA amplification was achieved in 80% of gastric, 30% of saliva and 20% of dental plaque specimens. Sequencing of 10, seven and four 16S rDNA products from stomach, saliva and dental plaque, respectively, showed > 99% identity with H. pylori. Sequencing of the other four oral cavity PCR products showed similarity with Campylobacter and Wolinella species. Additionally, the vacA genotype identified in the samples of different sites was the same within a given subject.H. pylori may be found in the oral cavity of patients with gastric infection, thus it could be a source of transmission. However, results obtained with detection methods based only on PCR should be interpreted with caution because other microorganisms that are phylogenetically very close to H. pylori are also present in the mouth.

Presence of Helicobacter pylori in supragingival dental plaque of individuals with periodontal disease and upper gastric diseases.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative microorganism which is able to colonize the gastric mucosa and is associated with peptic ulcer, gastric carcinoma, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Several studies have detected this bacterium in the oral cavity, suggesting it as a potential reservoir. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity of individuals with periodontal disease and gastric diseases. METHODS: 115 individuals, with mean age 49.6 (±5.8) years, were divided in 4 groups: (A) with gastric diseases and periodontal disease; (B) with gastric diseases and no periodontal disease; (C) without gastric diseases and without periodontal disease, (D) without gastric diseases and with periodontal disease. Supra and subgingival plaque samples were collected from posterior teeth of the individuals with sterile paper points, and prepared for Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis. Fisher's exact test was used for detecting statistical differences between groups (p<0.05). RESULTS: H. pylori was detected in supragingival plaque of 9/36 (25%) of group A, 1/31 (0.3%) of group B, 0 (0%) of group C and 3/36 (8.3%) of group D. No subgingival samples were positive for H. pylori. There was a statistically higher prevalence of H. pylori in groups A and D when compared to B and C (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: H. pylori was detected in the supragingival plaque, but not in the subgingival plaque, of individuals with periodontal disease and upper gastric diseases. There was an association between the supragingival colonization of H. pylori and oral hygiene parameters such as the presence of plaque and gingival bleeding.

Helicobacter pylori transiently in the mouth may participate in the transmission of infection

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with peptic ulcer and gastric carcinoma. The oral cavity may be a reservoir for H. pylori; however, the results of studies on this subject are controversial. We employed single-step and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to detect the presence of the vacA, ureA and 16S rDNA genes of H. pylori in the stomach, saliva and dental plaque of 30 subjects. The results were confirmed by sequencing. Nested 16S rDNA and ureA amplification was achieved in 80 percent of gastric, 30 percent of saliva and 20 percent of dental plaque specimens. Sequencing of 10, seven and four 16S rDNA products from stomach, saliva and dental plaque, respectively, showed > 99 percent identity with H. pylori. Sequencing of the other four oral cavity PCR products showed similarity with Campylobacter and Wolinella species. Additionally, the vacA genotype identified in the samples of different sites was the same within a given subject.H. pylori may be found in the oral cavity of patients with gastric infection, thus it could be a source of transmission. However, results obtained with detection methods based only on PCR should be interpreted with caution because other microorganisms that are phylogenetically very close to H. pylori are also present in the mouth.

Detection of cytotoxin genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in stomach, saliva and dental plaque.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori and its virulent cagA genes in the oral cavity of individuals with upper gastric diseases. Sixty-two individuals (42+/-2.3 years) with dispepsy symptoms, referred for gastroscopy and who were H. pylori positive in the gastric biopsy, were recruited and separated in two groups: case group-individuals with gastric disease (n = 30); control group-individuals with no gastric disease (n = 32); saliva, dental plaque and biopsy samples were collected from all individuals. Oral and biopsy samples were analyzed by PCR using specific primers for H. pylori 16S ribosomal and cagA genes. PCR products were sequenced for DNA homology confirmation. H. pylori was detected neither in dental plaque nor in saliva in the control group. In the case group H. pylori DNA was detected in 16/30 (53.3%) saliva samples and in 11/30 (36.6%) dental plaque samples. The cagA gene was detected in 13/30 (43.3%) gastric biopsies, in 7/16 (43.8%) saliva samples, and in 3/11 (27.3%) dental plaque samples. Eighteen (60.0%) individuals in the case group were H. pylori positive both in oral and biopsy samples, and 8 (26.6%) of those were positive for cagA-H. pylori DNA. H. pylori and its virulent clone showed a higher prevalence in the oral cavity of individuals in the case group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that dental plaque and saliva may serve as temporary reservoir for H. pylori and its virulent cagA variant in individuals with gastric disease.

Higher levels of salivary MUC5B and MUC7 in individuals with gastric diseases who harbor Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the salivary levels of MUC5B and MUC7 in individuals with dyspeptic disease and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the stomach, compared to individuals without dyspeptic disease. METHODS: 30 individuals with dyspeptic disease, who underwent endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal complaints at Hospital Pedro Ernesto-RJ, Brasil and tested positive for H. pylori, and 23 controls with no dyspeptic disease, with mean age 53.5+/-4.4 years, were included in the study. Saliva samples and 3 antral biopsy were taken for PCR analysis and histologic examination. In addition, saliva samples were tested by ELISA with F2 monoclonal antibody and EU7A antibody against MUC7, to determine MUC5B and MUC7 levels, prior to endoscopic examination. The expression pattern of the proteins was quantified by comparison to a pooled saliva sample of 19 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: MUC5B and MUC7 salivary levels were higher in the individuals with dyspeptic disease than in controls (p<0.0001). 33.3% (9/30) of the dyspeptic individuals and 0% of the controls had H. pylori in the oral cavity. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with gastric diseases, with H. pylori in the stomach, showed higher levels of salivary H. pylori receptors-MUC5B and MUC7-than individuals without gastric diseases. These results suggest that higher levels of specific salivary mucins could be useful as risk indicators for infection by H. pylori.

Correlação clínico-terapêutica e aspectos moleculares da infecção pelo HIV em pacientes pediátricos: em busca de melhor qualidade de vida / Physician-therapeutical correlation and molecular aspects of the infection for the HIV in pediatric patients: in search of the better quality of life

Introdução: o controle da infecção pelo HIV em pacientes pediátricos tem alcançado um amplo espectro que vai desde a abordagem da família naadesão ao tratamento anti-retroviral até a análise dos aspectos moleculares da infecção neste grupo, a fim de que ocorra a promoção de uma melhor qualidade de vida e uma maior sobrevida destes. Objetivo: descrever os aspectos clínico-terapêuticos de pacientes pediátricos infectados pelo HIV e descrever sua correlação com os aspectos moleculares da infecção, nutricionais e psicológicos. De modo a enfatizar a importância de se avaliar estas crianças sobre a ótica da qualidade de vida. Métodos: foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico que teve como base publicações de organismos nacionais e internacionais (Medline e Lilacs), periódicos científicos e livros técnicos. Resultados: as particularidades no curso da infecção pelo HIV em pacientes pediátricos vão desde as manifestações clínicas que os diferem dos adultos, a necesaidsde do apoio familiar na adesão ao tratamento proposto pelo médico até a superação de possíveis efeitos adversos da terapia anti-retroviral, como a intolerância e a toxicidade. Por outro lado diantedo quadro patológico impõem-se desafios, como amparar estas crianças que podem desenvolver desordens psicológicas, conceder uma dieta que contribua em uma melhor ação no tratamento, assim como a necesaidsde de se estudar as possíveis mutações que implicam em resistência viral a fim de que ocorra o desenvolvimento de novas drogas. Conclusão: o curso clínico-terapêutico deve ser a base no conhecimento dos diversos aspectos da infecção pelo HIV em pacientes pediátricos concedendo ao profissional de saúde o apoio fundamental na escolha dos meios de fornecer uma melhor qualidade de vida a estes pacientes e uma maior tranqüilidade durante o acompanhamento clínico a seus responsáveis.

Introduction: the control of the HIV infection in pediatrics patients has reached a larger specter that goes since the boarding of the family in theadhesion to the anti-retroviral treatment until the analysis of the molecular aspects of the infection in this group topromove better quality of life and agreater follow-up. Objective: report the clinical-therapeutical aspects of pediatrics patients infecty by the HIV and describe its psychological correlation with the molecular aspects of the infection, nutricionais. In order to emphasize the importance of evaluating these children on the optics of the quality of life. Methods: it was carried through a bibliographical survey that had as base publications of national and international organisms (- Medline and Lilacs), periodic scientific and books technician. Results: the particularitities in the course of the infection for the HIV in pediatrics patients go since the clinical manifestations that differ them from the adults, the necessity of the familiar support in the adhesion to the treatment considered for the doctor until the overcoming of possible adverse effect of the anti-retroviral therapy as the intolerance and the toxicological effects. On the other hand ahead of the pathological picture one imposes challenges as to support these children who can develop psychological clutters, to grant a diet that contribute in one better action in the treatment, as well as the necessity of if studying the possible mutations that imply in viral resistance so that the development of new drugs occurs. Conclusion: the clinical-therapeutical course must be the base in the knowledge of the diverse aspects of the infection for the HIV in pediatrics patients granting to the health professional the basic support in the choice of the ways to supply to one better quality of life to these patients and a bigger tranquillity during the clinical accompaniment its responsible ones.

Condiçäo crônica de saúde e o processo de ser saudável / Chronic condition and the process of being healthy

O artigo apresenta uma reflexäo sobre o impacto e o enfrentamento da condiçäo crônica no processo de viver e ser saudável. A situaçäo crônica é por si estressante e geradora de novos estressores. O impacto do estressor na vida dos indivíduos e grupos em condiçäo crônica varia de acordo com o significado do estressor, o qual é influenciado pela orientaçäo de vida dos envolvidos, pelas forças que dispöem e pelas necessidades. Este é um processo cognitivo e emocional que por sua vez determina a decisäo quanto as estratégias a serem implantadas no enfrentamento aos estressores.

Ocorrencia de doencas cronico-degenerativas em individuos atendidos em instituicoes de saude de Florianopolis / Occurrence of chronic-degenerative illnesses in patients treated in Health Care Facilities in Florianopolis

Este estudo e uma descricao da ocorrencia das doencas cronico-degenerativas em individuos atendidos nas instituicoes de saude da cidade de Florianopolis. A amostra consistiu de todos os individuos com doencas cronicas atendidos no periodo de 01.07.86 a 31.06.87 em 22 instituicoes de saude selecionadas pela tecnica de amostragem por conglomerado em etapa unica. As informacoes foram obtidas dos prontuarios nos Servicos de Arquivo Medico de cada instituicao. Os resultados mostraram que foram atendidos 4.958 individuos com doencas cronicas nas 22 instituicos selecionadas durante o periodo estabelecido. As doencas cardiovasculares apresentaram a maior frequencia com 2.518 (50,7 por cento) pacientes e, entre estas, a hipertensao arterial foi a que atingiu a maior frequencia com 868 (34,5 por cento) pacientes. Em segundo lugar apareceram as doencas respiratorias com 600 (12,1 por cento) individuos seguidos das neoplasias 450 (9,01 por cento) e da Diabete Mellitus com 411 (8,8). Quanto ao sexo, a maior frequencia foi em mulheres (55,02 por cento) e o grupo etario mais atingido foi o de 61 a 70 anos de idade.

Qualidade de vida dos indivíduos com doenças cardiovasculares crônicas e diabetes mellitus / Life quality of patients with chronic cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus

Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a qualidade de vida de pacientes com doenças crônicas e diabete mellitus e foi baseado nas conceitualizaçöes do termo qualidade de vida proposta por Wenger et al (1984). Para esses autores, a qualidade de vida pode ser medida com base na capacidade funcional, nas percepçöes e sintomas dos indivíduos em condiçöes crônicas de saúde. A amostra consistiu de 94 pacientes, sendo 35 com doenças cardiovasculares fazendo tratamento em unidades de internaçäo e ambulatorial (GRUPO I), 29 pacientes com doenças cardiovasculares em reabilitaçäo específica (GRUPO II), e 30 pacientes com diabetes mellitus em tratamento ambulatorial (GRUPO III). Os dados foram coletados utilizando-se o questionário McMaster Health Index desenvolvido por Chambers (1984). Em síntese, os resultados mostraram que em relaçäo a funçäo física, percepçäo quanto à saúde e satisfaçäo com a vida, os pacientes do GRUPO II tiveram qualidade de vida melhor do que os pacientes do GRUPO I e do GRUPO III.