Oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of predisposing factors and oral manifestations in SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 204 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were included in the study. Questions regarding the systemic, periodontal health, oral hygiene habits, common symptoms and, oral manifestations of COVID-19 such as oral lesions, and dry mouth were included in the survey. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used. RESULTS: 47.5% of individuals had various systemic diseases. Dry mouth (44.2%) and oral lesions (22.4%) were the most common oral manifestations in COVID-19 patients. Also, dry mouth had the highest VAS score. The most common oral lesion locations were buccal mucosa (15.2%) and tongue (10.8%). The majority of participants (142 patients) were affected by taste disorders. Patients who received periodontal treatment before SARS-CoV-2 infection reported fewer oral complaint and manifestations than those who did not receive periodontal therapy (p=0.032). There was no statistically significant difference between males and females on the presence of any oral manifestations, and taste disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that SARS-CoV-2 could cause oral manifestations. However various predisposing factors may be part of the etiology and promote oral findings.

Salivary ß-galactosidase, halitosis parameters in periodontal health and disease, and their changes after periodontal treatment.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the salivary ß-galactosidase and Halimeter values (HMV), organoleptic scores (OLS) and Winkel tongue coating index (WTCI) in periodontal health and periodontitis (P), and also their changes after phase I periodontal therapy and tongue cleaning. METHODS: The participants were separated as follows: 25 P with halitosis (Group 1), 25 P without halitosis (Group 2) and 25 healthy controls (Group 3). Periodontal recordings, HMV, OLS and WTCI scores were recorded, and whole saliva ß-galactosidase levels were measured colorimetrically in the samples at baseline and 1 month after the therapy. RESULTS: The baseline values of HMV, OLS, WTCI and salivary ß-galactosidase levels were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant decrease in periodontal recordings, HMV, OLS, WTCI and salivary ß-galactosidase levels in all P patients by the therapy (P < 0.05). However, major reductions in halitosis measurements and saliva enzyme levels were observed in Group 1 after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that salivary ß-galactosidase was associated with halitosis parameters and phase I periodontal therapy played an important role to reduce this enzyme level and halitosis parameters in P.

Evaluation of gingival crevicular fluid levels of tissue plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor 2, matrix metalloproteinase-3 and interleukin 1-ß in patients with different periodontal diseases.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß), matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3), tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 2 (PAI-2) in patients with chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and healthy individuals (controls). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systemically healthy (21 chronic periodontitis, 23 AgP and 20 controls) subjects were included in this study. Plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected. Assays for IL-1ß, MMP-3, t-PA and PAI-2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid were carried out by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman correlation coefficient were used for data analyses. RESULTS: Gingival crevicular fluid levels of t-PA and IL-1ß were significantly higher in chronic periodontitis and AgP groups than in the control group (p < 0.001). MMP-3 levels in gingival crevicular fluid were detected as significantly higher in the chronic periodontitis and AgP groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The t-PA/PAI-2 rate of patients with chronic periodontitis and AgP were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The positive correlations were found among the PAI-2, t-PA, IL-1ß and MMP-3 levels in gingival crevicular fluid. The volume of the gingival crevicular fluid correlated with all of the clinical parameters (p < 0.001). There were positive correlations between the gingival crevicular fluid levels of PAI-2 and the probing pocket depth and between gingival crevicular fluid levels of PAI-2 and the clinical attachment level (p < 0.01). Similarly, significant correlations were found between t-PA levels and probing pocket depth and between t-PA levels and clinical attachment level measurements (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present data showed that gingival crevicular fluid levels of IL-1 ß, MMP-3 and t-PA increased in periodontal disease regardless of the periodontitis type and played a part in tissue destruction.

Gingival tissue and crevicular fluid co-operation in adult periodontitis.

Activated matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) can contribute to periodontal ligament destruction in adult periodontitis. Since MMP-3 has been reported to activate proMMP-8 and -9, it was speculated that gingival tissue fibroblast-derived MMP-3 might, in periodontitis, be responsible for activation of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) neutrophil-derived proMMP-8 and -9. Immunohistochemistry disclosed MMP-3 in gingival fibroblasts in periodontitis. Cultured gingival fibroblasts released only pro-MMP-3 when stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. However, Western blot revealed partially activated MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in periodontitis GCF. Active MMP-8 (p < 0.05) and MMP-9 (p < 0.05) correlated with the presence of active MMP-3. It seems that resident gingival fibroblasts produce pro-MMP-3 in GCF, where it becomes activated, probably by cathepsin G or elastase released by neutrophils. Active MMP-3 then activates neutrophil-derived pro-MMP-8 and -9. Different tissue compartments/cells exert co-operative actions in mutual local MMP activation cascades.

Interleukin-1beta and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels after phase I periodontal therapy in patients with chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a potent stimulator of bone resorption, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal tissue destruction. There is also a clearly defined and substantial role for free radicals or reactive oxygen species in periodontal destruction. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) is a commonly applied test to measure free radical activity. The aims of this study were to investigate the amount of crevicular IL-1beta, tissue TBARS levels, and the clinical status of patients with advanced chronic periodontitis and the effect of phase I periodontal therapy on these clinical parameters and measurements. METHODS: Twenty-five chronic periodontitis and 25 healthy control (C) patients were selected for the study. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded from each sampling area. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) sampling and clinical index scores were recorded at the initial examination (IE) and 6 weeks after phase I periodontal therapy (APT). Assays for GCF IL-1beta were carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gingival tissue samples were obtained from sites requiring periodontal flap surgery due to unresolved pockets to determine the tissue TBARS levels. The paired-samples t test was used to compare the IL-1beta levels and clinical parameters between IE and APT. The independent-samples t test was used to determine the significance of all parameters between IE and C, and between APT and C. The correlation among the IL-1beta levels, clinical parameters, and tissue TBARS levels was analyzed using the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: The concentration of IL-1beta levels was not statistically different among IE, APT, and C groups, but the total amount of IL-1beta levels was statistically different among the 3 groups. While the levels of IL-1beta and the clinical parameters were reduced following phase I periodontal treatment, pretreatment IL-1beta, post-treatment IL-1beta, and TBARS levels were statistically higher in IE and APT groups than C specimens. Tissue TBARS levels in the APT group were statistically greater than controls. No correlations were noted between tissue TBARS levels and clinical parameters in the APT group. A positive statistical correlation was detected between the total IL-1beta and TBARS levels in the APT group. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the levels of crevicular IL-1beta and gingival tissue TBARS are closely associated with periodontal status. This relationship may be valuable in treating and monitoring periodontal disease progression.

Clinical management of ectodermal dysplasia with long term follow up: two case reports.

The present study describes the characteristics and clinical management of two patients with ectodermal dysplasia with long term follow-up. Dental treatments depend on the severity of disorder, therefore, treatment varies according to the age, growth and development of the stomatognathic system of the patient. It is important that the patient and dentist understand continued monitoring for dental problems is necessary. This provides improved aesthetics, function and emotional development.

The effects of attachment factors on initial attachment of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts on different root surfaces: a light and scanning electron microscopic study.

This study was aimed to test the effect of fibronectin (FN), vitronectin (VN) and a fibronectin analog (fibronectin-like engineered protein) on the attachment of periodontal ligament cells to mechanically-treated and mechanically non-treated periodontally involved and non-diseased root surfaces in vitro. Periodontal ligament fibroblasts were incubated with a total of 44 periodontally diseased and non-diseased root slices which had been treated in the following manner: 1) FN applied to mechanically-treated and non-treated root slices, 2) VN applied to mechanically-treated and non-treated root slices, 3) FN-like engineered protein applied to mechanically-treated and non-treated root slices, and 4) mechanically-treated and non-treated root slices. After the 1 hour incubation period in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO2 at 37 degrees C, the adherence of the fibroblasts was determined using light microscopy with an ocular grid system and orientation was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the number of attached cells to non-diseased cementum sites was significantly greater than the number of attached cells to diseased cementum sites for all of the groups (p < 0.05). Likewise, the number of attached cells to mechanically-treated diseased cementum sites was significantly greater than the number of attached cells to mechanically-non-treated diseased cementum sites (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that these attachment factors cannot promote cell attachment to different cementum sites.

The in vivo expression of the collagenolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, -8, -13, and -14) and matrilysin (MMP-7) in adult and localized juvenile periodontitis.

Periodontal inflammation is characterized by irreversible degradation of periodontal ligament collagen fibers leading to loss of tooth attachment. Cultured gingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts express, in vitro, various matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which can degrade fibrillar collagens. We hypothesized that several MMPs are also synthesized in vivo by sulcular epithelium, and analyzed the collagenolytic MMPs (MMP-2, -8, -13, and -14) and matrilysin (MMP-7) in gingival tissue specimens and gingival crevicular fluid from adult and localized juvenile periodontitis patients by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western immunoblotting. MMP-2, -7, -8, and -13 were expressed in gingival sulcular epithelium. MMP-7 and -13 were also located in fibroblasts and macrophages, and MMP-8 in neutrophils. MMP-8- and -13-positive cells/mm2 were higher in periodontitis gingiva when compared with healthy control tissue (p < 0.01). In periodontal diseases, gingival sulcular epithelium expresses several, rather than a single, collagenolytic MMPs, and this proteolytic cascade is evidently responsible for the tissue destruction characteristic of adult and juvenile periodontitis.

Evaluation of initial attachment of human gingival fibroblast cells to biodegradable membranes in vitro by light and scanning electron microscopy.

Guided tissue regeneration procedures using resorbable membranes have become accepted therapy for treating periodontal defects. Resorbable collagen and synthetic polylactide and polyglycolide copolymer membranes have been found to support regeneration and preclude the need for surgical removal. This study was undertaken to assess and compare the initial attachment of human gingival fibroblast cells to four collagen-based membranes (fascia lata, fascia temporalis, dura mater, and Type I bovine collagen) and a synthetic polylactic acid-based membrane (resolut). Human gingival fibroblasts were grown from explants of normal tissue obtained during surgical reduction of retromolar tissues. Membrane specimens were placed in separate culture wells and incubated with fibroblasts for one hour. The number of adherent cells was evaluated by light microscopy using an ocular grid system and detailed examination was performed by scanning electron microscopy. The results of evaluation by light microscopy indicated that initial cell attachment was significantly less in the polylactic acid-based membrane group than in the collagen-based membrane groups (P < 0.01). However, no significant differences were found among the collagen membrane groups in terms of fibroblast attachment (P > 0.01). Scanning electron microscopy examination of fibroblasts cultured directly on barrier membranes indicated that the collagen-based membranes appeared to facilitate cell attachment, whereas the polylactic acid-based membrane exhibited a morphology that was not conducive to attachment of human gingival fibroblasts. Based on these limited in vitro results, it appears that collagen-based membranes offer greater potential than polylactic acid-based membranes for guided tissue regeneration at surgical sites.

Detection of serum antibody responses in cattle with natural or experimental Neospora infections.

Parasite-specific antibody responses were detected using an indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test in cattle that were naturally or experimentally infected with Neospora parasites. The test was developed using Neospora tachyzoites isolated from an aborted bovine fetus and grown in bovine cell cultures (isolate BPA1). In all cases, infections were confirmed by the identification of Neospora tachyzoites and/or bradyzoite cysts in fetal or calf tissues using an immunoperoxidase test procedure. Fifty-five naturally infected cows that aborted Neospora-infected fetuses had titers of 320-5,120 at the time of abortion. The titer of 6 cows that were serologically monitored over a prolonged period decreased to 160-640 within 150 days after they aborted infected fetuses. Two of the cows showed an increase in their Neospora titers during their subsequent pregnancy, and they gave birth to congenitally infected calves that had precolostral titers of 10,240-20,480. Postcolostral titers of these calves and of 4 other calves with congenital Neospora infections were all > or = 5,120, whereas calves with no detectable parasites had titers < or = 160. Two pregnant heifers that were experimentally infected with the BPA1 isolate at approximately 120 days gestation seroconverted to Neospora antigens within 9 days and developed peak titers of 5,120 and 20,480 within 32 days of infection. The fetus taken by caesarean section 32 days postinfection from 1 heifer and the full-term calf born to the other had Neospora titers of 640 and 10,240, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)