Retrospective study of the clinical significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in 79 patients with palmoplantar pustulosis.

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease characterized by multiple vesicles, pustules, and erythematous plaques on the palms and soles. The exacerbation of PPP is strongly associated with focal infections, such as tonsillitis, dental infections, and sinusitis, in Japan. Recently, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been widely used as a convenient and useful marker for clinical conditions and various diseases; however, an association between PPP and NLR has not yet been established. We retrospectively analyzed 79 patients with PPP from our hospital to evaluate the clinical significance of the NLR. The average NLR value in patients with PPP was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (2.30 ± 1.02 vs 1.69 ± 0.45, P < 0.001). A comparative analysis of patients with PPP with and without infectious complications showed that there was a statistical difference in the NLR between patients with PPP with and without focal infections, whereas no significant difference was found for metal allergy, smoking, and pustulotic arthro-osteitis. Multivariate analysis indicated that the NLR was significantly associated with focal infections (odds ratio = 18.38, 95% confidence interval 3.86-87.35, P < 0.001). The NLR was also significantly correlated with C-reactive protein levels (P = 0.013, r = 0.2857). Interestingly, after symptom improvement, the NLR significantly decreased from the baseline levels. Furthermore, statistical analysis using the Youden's index revealed that an NLR of 2.28 or higher was associated with the risk of any focal infections in patients with PPP. These results suggest that the NLR has potential applications as a biomarker of the presence of focal infections in patients with PPP.

Evaluation of a Revised Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of Feline Leukaemia p27 Antigen and Anti-p15E Antibodies in Cats.

The first point-of-care (PoC) test (v-RetroFel®; modified version 2021) determining the presence of FeLV p27 antigen and FeLV anti-p15E antibodies has become recently commercially available to identify different feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection outcomes. This study aimed to assess this PoC test's performance concerning FeLV p27 antigen and FeLV anti-p15E antibody detection. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were assessed after ten minutes (recommended) and 20 min (prolonged) incubation times. The test results were evaluated as either positive or negative. Serum samples from 934 cats were included, originating from Italy (n = 269), Portugal (n = 240), Germany (n = 318), and France (n = 107). FeLV p27 antigen and anti-p15E antibodies were measured by reference standard ELISAs and compared to the PoC test results. The PoC test was easy to perform and the results easy to interpret. Sensitivity and specificity for FeLV p27 antigen were 82.8% (PPV: 57.8%) and 96.0% (NPV: 98.8%) after both, ten and 20 minues of incubation time. Sensitivity and specificity for anti-p15E antibodies were 31.4% (PPV: 71.6%) and 96.9% (NPV: 85.1%) after ten minutes incubation time; sensitivity was improved by a prolonged incubation time (20 min) to 40.0% (PPV: 76.3%), while specificity remained the same (96.9%, NPV: 86.7%). Despite the improved sensitivity using the prolonged incubation time, lower than ideal sensitivities for both p27 antigen and especially anti-p15E antibodies were found, indicating that the PoC test in its current version needs further improvement prior to application in the field.

Iliacus Myositis and Bacteremia Caused by Non-typhoidal Salmonella in a Healthy Adult: A Case Report.

Typically, non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) causes gastroenteritis; however, NTS can also lead to extraintestinal manifestations like bacteremia, meningitis, and abscess in vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Extraintestinal manifestations in an immunocompetent patient are uncommon. Here, we report a case of iliacus myositis and bacteremia caused by NTS in a healthy adult. A previously healthy 23-year-old Japanese woman presented to the emergency room due to a one-day history of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. She had a fever, and her blood test showed leukocytosis. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a thickening of the ascending colon. She was diagnosed with gastroenteritis and treated with antibiotics. Blood culture at that time was negative, but Salmonella serogroup 09 was detected in stool culture. Subsequently, her symptoms improved; however, on day 13, she returned to our hospital complaining of pain in her left thigh. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed no abscess or muscle inflammation, but due to persistent symptoms, the patient was admitted to the hospital, and antibiotics were initiated. Salmonella serogroup 09 was detected from the blood culture obtained at the time of admission. Magnetic resonance imaging of the hip joint and CT of the abdomen and pelvis after admission revealed inflammation in the left iliacus muscle and an abscess near the left ilium. The patient was treated successfully with antibiotics. This case highlights two findings. First, NTS can cause bacteremia even in a healthy adult with no risk factors for bacteremia. Second, NTS bacteremia can cause complications in an immunocompetent adult. This case implies that even in the case of NTS infection in otherwise healthy individuals, if there are signs of bacteremia or complications, it is essential to conduct blood culture and additional tests.

Porphyromonas gingivalis and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

The cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, remain major unanswered questions in medical science. Oral bacteria, especially those species associated with chronic periodontitis and particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis, are being linked causally to AD pathophysiology in a subpopulation of susceptible individuals. P. gingivalis produces large amounts of proteolytic enzymes, haem and iron capture proteins, adhesins and internalins that are secreted and attached to the cell surface and concentrated onto outer membrane vesicles (OMVs). These enzymes and adhesive proteins have been shown to cause host tissue damage and stimulate inflammatory responses. The ecological and pathophysiological roles of P. gingivalis OMVs, their ability to disperse widely throughout the host and deliver functional proteins lead to the proposal that they may be the link between a P. gingivalis focal infection in the subgingivae during periodontitis and neurodegeneration in AD. P. gingivalis OMVs can cross the blood brain barrier and may accelerate AD-specific neuropathology by increasing neuroinflammation, plaque/tangle formation and dysregulation of iron homeostasis, thereby inducing ferroptosis leading to neuronal death and neurodegeneration.

Maxillofacial infections of dental origin: risk factors for hospital admission

Aim: to evaluate the occurrence of maxillofacial infection cases, which were treated at local hospital, identifying the main risk factors that determine the need for hospitalization of patients and the factors associated with staying length. Methods: A retrospective review of 191 records of patients with maxillofacial infection of odontogenic origin was performed, statistically evaluated by frequency and percentage of involvement, p values (based on the chi-square test) and odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among all the 191 patients, 31 had some harmful habits, such as smokers (13%) and alcoholics (1%). In addition, 39 patients reported some general health problem, such as systemic arterial hypertension (8.3%), depression (6.8%), diabetes (3.6%) and some immunosuppression (1.57%). Involvement of infection in deep facial spaces was present, with 119 patients presenting a deeper infection (62.3%) and 72 patients a superficial infection (37.7%). The most prevalent clinical signs and symptoms in the initial evaluation were pain (91.1%) and edema (90.1%), followed by erythema/hyperemia (44.5%), trismus (37.7%), abscess (30.9%), cellulitis (27.7%), f istula (16.8%), fever (16.8%), dysphagia (11%), dehydration (9.9%), odynophagia (7.9% ) and dyspnea (3.7%). Pulp necrosis was considered a risk factor for treatment in a hospital environment (0.032) and root canal treatment decreases the risk of hospitalization (p=0.002). Considering the evaluated patients, 146 (76.4%) were admitted and 45 (37.7%) were not admitted for hospitalization after initial clinical evaluation. Conclusion: there is a high occurrence of maxillofacial infection cases of dental origin, considering that involvement of infection in deeper facial spaces, as well as presence of pain, edema, erythema/hyperemia, trismus, abscess, cellulitis and pulp necrosis, represent the main risk factors for hospitalization and staying length

Microbiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity of maxillofacial infections in an emergency hospital

Aim: To investigate the bacteriological profile of oral and maxillofacial infections and the pattern of sensitivity to a specific group of antibiotics in a reference emergency hospital in Brazil. Methods: This is a prospective cohort institutional study that studied patients affected by oral and/ or maxillofacial infections in a Brazilian emergency hospital, over a 12-month period, of different etiologies, through data collection, culture and antibiogram tests, and monitoring of the process of resolution of the infectious condition. The variables were analyzed using the chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests, using a significance level of 5%. Results: The sample consisted of 61 patients, 62.3% male. The mean age of participants was 34.3 years. Odontogenic infection was the most frequent etiology and the submandibular space was the most affected. The bacterial species Streptococcus viridans was isolated in 21.6% of cases. Levofloxacin, vancomycin and penicillin were the antibiotics with the highest frequency of bacterial sensitivity, while clindamycin and erythromycin showed the highest percentages of resistance. Conclusions: The results suggest that, among the most used antibiotics for the treatment of these infections, penicillin remains an excellent option of choice for empirical therapy

Update on Focal Infection Management: A Czech Interdisciplinary Consensus.

BACKGROUND: The focal infection theory has been used to explain several chronic systemic diseases in the past. Systemic diseases were thought to be caused by focal infections, such as caries and periodontal diseases, and dentists were held responsible for these diseases due to the spread of oral infections. As knowledge of the interrelationship between oral microorganisms and the host immune response has evolved over the last few decades, the focal infection theory has been modified in various ways. The relationship between oral and systemic health appears to be more complex than that suggested by the classical theory of focal infections. Indeed, the contribution of the oral microbiota to some systemic diseases is gaining acceptance, as there are strong associations between periodontal disease and atherosclerotic vascular disease, diabetes, and hospital-associated pneumonia, amongst others. As many jurisdictions have various protocols for managing this oral-systemic axis of disease, we sought to provide a consensus on this notion with the help of a multidisciplinary team from the Czech Republic. METHODS: A multidisciplinary team comprising physicians/surgeons in the specialities of dentistry, ear-nose and throat (ENT), cardiology, orthopaedics, oncology, and diabetology were quetioned with regard to their conceptual understanding of the focal infection theory particularly in relation to the oral-systemic axis. The team also established a protocol to determine the strength of these associations and to plan the therapeutic steps needed to treat focal odontogenic infections whenever possible. RESULTS: Scoring algorithms were devised for odontogenic inflammatory diseases and systemic risks, and standardised procedures were developed for general use. CONCLUSIONS: The designed algorithm of the oral-systemic axis will be helpful for all health care workers in guiding their patient management protocol.

Final-year medical students' perspective: a survey on the use of computed tomography in sepsis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the perspective of final-year medical students on the use of computed tomography (CT) in patients with sepsis. METHODS: A total of 207 questionnaires were distributed to final-year medical students at a large university medical center, and 113 returned questionnaires met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Questions referred to sepsis guidelines, CT indications, and the use of contrast agents. Control variables included a level of practical experience as a final-year student (trimester of student's practical year) and previous radiological experience. Statistical hypothesis tests such as the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were performed. RESULTS: The majority of participating students, 85% (n = 91/107), considered a Systemic Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥ 2 as a diagnostic criterion for sepsis. The presence of ≥ 2 positive systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria was considered relevant for diagnosing sepsis by 34% (n = 34/100). Ninety-nine percent (n = 64/65) of the participants who fully agreed with a SOFA score ≥ 2 being relevant for diagnosing sepsis would also use it as an indication for a CT scan. Seventy-six percent (n = 78/103) of the students rated a known severe allergic reaction to contrast agents as an absolute contraindication for its administration. Ninety-five percent (n = 78/82) considered radiation exposure as problematic in CT examinations, especially in repeat CTs. CONCLUSION: Most final-year medical students were familiar with the sepsis criteria. Still, some referred to outdated diagnostic criteria. Participants saw the ability to plan further patient management based on CT as a major benefit. Most participants were aware of radiation as a risk of CT. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: More detailed knowledge of CT in septic patients should be implemented in the medical curriculum. Retraining of medical students could help increase student confidence potentially improving patient care. KEY POINTS: 1. Whereas the majority of final-year medical students were familiar with sepsis criteria, some referred to outdated diagnostic criteria. 2. Participants saw the ability to plan further patient management based on CT as a major benefit. 3. Most participants were aware of radiation as a risk of CT.

Asymptomatic Apical Periodontitis Lesions and Their Association With Systemic Inflammatory Burden: A Preliminary Prospective Clinical Study.

Background: Apical periodontitis (AP) is an inflammatory disorder of the periapical tissues caused by the persistence of a microbial infection within the root canal system of the affected tooth. Clinically, it is symptomatic or asymptomatic depending on several factors such as the type of microorganisms, bacterial load, immunological reaction, and local tissue mediators. Chronic or asymptomatic infections may initiate and modulate intravascular accumulation of inflammatory cells resulting in endothelial dysfunction which subsequently represents a possible systemic inflammatory burden. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between asymptomatic AP and systemic inflammatory burden by assessing the levels of chronic inflammatory cells. Methodology: A total of 25 patients diagnosed with asymptomatic AP who showed a negative response to the pulp sensitivity test with no history of any systemic diseases were included in this preliminary prospective observational study. Blood samples were collected at each phase of the study, and a complete hemogram was carried out. All hematological parameters were recorded before and after root canal therapy and they were analyzed for statistical significance at p <.05 using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21 (Released 2012; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results: Evaluation of the mean total leukocyte count (TLC), lymphocyte, and eosinophil cell count showed a significant reduction in the number of cells before and after root canal therapy treatment respectively (p<.05). One-way analysis of variance also revealed statistical significance at p < .05 with a weak positive correlation between the TLC, lymphocyte, and eosinophil count before and after treatment. Conclusion: The present study showed that systemically healthy individuals with asymptomatic AP had increased inflammatory burden in the circulation, and thus, it is essential to identify and quantify the risk associated. It was evident that complete healing of the asymptomatic AP lesions results in an overall reduction of systemic inflammatory cells ultimately reducing the burden and risk of associated systemic inflammatory diseases.

Estado actual de la infección focal y del éxito del tratamiento endodóntico / Current status of focal infection and the success of endodontic treatment

Frente a la difusión en medios de comunicación de medias verdades con enunciados alarmantes y anticientíficos, este editorial busca revisar las bases científicas para determinar el comportamiento clínico. Así, el texto discurre por el concepto de infección focal desde su origen, yendo al encuentro de sus transformaciones conceptuales a través de los descubrimien- tos científicos, teniendo en cuenta las características emocio- nales propias de cada paciente como un todo y los peligros a los que se puede estar expuestos frente a las medias verdades (AU)

Facing the diffusion of alarming and anti-scientific state- ments in the media, this editorial seeks the scientific bases to determine the clinical behavior. Thus, the text runs through the concept of focal infection from its origin and across its conceptual transformations through scientific discoveries, by considering the emotional characteristics of each patient as a whole and the dangers to which they may be exposed in the face of half-truths (AU)

Prevalencia de patología infantil dental y de la mucosa en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario / Prevalence of dental and mucosal lesions among the pediatric population who attended the emergency department of a general hospital

Fundamento: La elevada prevalencia de la patología oral infantil incentiva a conocer sus manifestaciones y el carácter urgente de las mismas, objetivo del presente estudio. Metodología: Estudio transversal que incluyó pacientes de edad <14 años que acudieron a un servicio de urgencias durante un año. Se analizó la relación entre las variables recogidas y la patología oral. Resultados: Se incluyeron 55 pacientes, 45,5% niñas, edad media 4,11 años (10 días a 13 años). Globalmente, predominó la patología mucosa (74,5%) frente a la dentaria, y el origen infeccioso (54,6%) frente al traumático (14,5%). La patología dentaria (50% odontalgia y 35,7% infecciones) se asoció significativamente a edad >6 años (66,7 vs 10%), dolor (40,7 vs 10,7%) y ausencia de fiebre (37,9 vs 11,5%). La patología mucosa (61% infecciones: 53,7% víricas y 31,7% por herpangina) se asoció significativamente a edad ≤6 años (60 vs 6,7%;) y fiebre (76,9 vs 17,2%). Se observaron seis lesiones traumáticas sobre la mucosa y dos en los dientes; significativamente más pacientes acudieron a urgencias antes de 24 horas (mediana =1 hora) que en caso de infección (100 vs 51,7%). La edad ≤6 años se asoció significativamente a fiebre, patología mucosa, infección de la mucosa y herpangina, y la >6 años se asoció a dolor, tratamiento antibiótico previo y al alta y pauta previa de AINE. Conclusión: La patología oral infantil atendida en el servicio de urgencias analizado fue de la mucosa y origen infeccioso, predominando la dentaria en >6 años y la mucosa en ≤6 años, sin diferencia por sexo.(AU)

Background: The high prevalence of oral pathology in children encourages to gain further understanding on their manifestations and urgent nature, objective of the present study. Methodology: Crosssectional study that included patients aged <14 years of age who attended an emergency department over a oneyear period. The relationship between the variables collected and oral pathology was analyzed. Results: Fifty-five patients were included, 45.5% girls, mean age 4.11 years (10 days to 13 years). Overall, mucosal pathology (74.5%) prevailed over dental ones, and lesions of infectious origin (54.6%) over the traumatic ones (14.5%). Dental pathology (50% toothache and 35.7% infections) was significantly associated with being >6 years (66.7 vs 10%), pain (40.7 vs 10.7%) and absence of fever (37.9 vs 11.5%). Mucosal pathology (61% infections: 53.7% viral and 31.7% due to herpangina) was significantly associated with being ≤6 years (60 vs 6.7%) and having fever (76.9 vs 17.2%). Six traumatic lesions on the mucosa and two on the teeth were observed; significantly more patients attended the emergency room within 24 hours (median =1 hour) than in the case of infection (100 vs 51.7%). Being ≤6 years was significantly associated with fever, mucosal pathology, mucosal infection, and herpangina, and being >6 years was associated with pain, previous antibiotic treatment and at discharge, and previous NSAID regimen. Conclusions: The analyzed pediatric oral pathologies treated in the emergency department are of mucosal and infectious origin. Dental disease prevail in children >6 years of age and mucosal lesions in those ≤6 years; no sex differences are observed.

Estado actual de la infección focal y del éxito del tratamiento endodóntico / Current status of focal infection and the success of endodontic treatment

Resumen Frente a la difusión en medios de comunicación de medias verdades con enunciados alarmantes y anticientíficos, este editorial busca revisar las bases científicas para determinar el comportamiento clínico. Así, el texto discurre por el concepto de infección focal desde su origen, yendo al encuentro de sus transformaciones conceptuales a través de los descubrimientos científicos, teniendo en cuenta las características emocionales propias de cada paciente como un todo y los peligros a los que se puede estar expuestos frente a las medias verdades.

Abstract Facing the diffusion of alarming and anti-scientific statements in the media, this editorial seeks the scientific bases to determine the clinical behavior. Thus, the text runs through the concept of focal infection from its origin and across its conceptual transformations through scientific discoveries, by considering the emotional characteristics of each patient as a whole and the dangers to which they may be exposed in the face of half-truths.

Development of a chronic focal equine arteritis virus infection of a male reproductive tract cell line.

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is an Alphaarterivirus (family Arteriviridae, order Nidovirales) that frequently causes an influenza-like illness in adult horses, but can also cause the abortions in mares and death of newborn foals. Once primary infection has been established, EAV can persist in the reproductive tract of some stallions. However, the mechanisms enabling this persistence, which depends on testosterone, remain largely unknown. We aimed to establish an in vitro model of non-cytopathic EAV infection to study viral persistence. In this work, we infected several cell lines originating from the male reproductive tract of different species. EAV infection was fully cytopathic for 92BR (donkey cells) and DDT1 MF-2 (hamster cells) cells, and less cytopathic for PC-3 cells (human cells); ST cells (porcine cells) seemed to eliminate the virus; LNCaP (human cells) and GC-1 spg (murine cells) cells were not permissive to EAV infection; finally, TM3 cells (murine cells) were permissive to EAV infection without any overt cytopathic effects. Infected TM3 cells can be maintained at least 7 days in culture without any subculture. They can also be subcultured over 39 days (subculturing them at 1:2 the first time at 5 dpi and then every 2-3 days), but in this case, the percentage of infected cells remains low. Infected TM3 cells may therefore provide a new model to study the host-pathogen interactions and to help determine the mechanisms involved in EAV persistence in stallion reproductive tract.

Asociación entre índice de masa corporal y mortalidad en pacientes críticos con choque séptico / Association between body mass index and mortality in critical ill patients with septic shock

INTRODUCCIÓN. La paradoja de la obesidad propone que, en determinadas enfermedades, los enfermos con obesidad tienen menor mortalidad. OBJETIVO. Asociar el índice de masa corporal con la mortalidad a 30 días en adultos con choque séptico. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS. Estudio observacional, analítico, retrospectivo, multicéntrico. Se analizaron 673 pacientes con choque séptico, ingresados en terapia intensiva de dos hospitales de la ciudad de la ciudad de Quito ­ Ecuador, durante enero 2017 - diciembre 2019. Criterios de inclusión: Mayores a 18 años, choque séptico, registro de peso, talla y condición vital al día 30. Criterios de exclusión: Orden de no reanimación, embarazadas, protocolo de donación de órganos, cuidados paliativos. Las variables se recolectaron a partir de las historias clínicas digitales y físicas de los centros participantes. Las estimaciones de riesgo calculadas se presentaron como OR (Odds Ratio) en el análisis bivariado y OR Adj (OR ajustado) para el análisis multivariado. Un valor de p <0.05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. Todos los análisis estadísticos se realizaron usando el software estadístico R® (Versión 4.1.2). RESULTADOS. La edad promedio fue de 65 años, índice de masa corporal promedio 25,9 Kg/m2 (+4,9 Kg/m2). El 54,3% tuvo índice de masa corporal > 25 Kg/m2. La mortalidad general fue 49.2%. Sujetos con sobrepeso y obesidad tuvieron menor mortalidad, OR: 0,48 (IC 95%: 0.34, 0.68; p <0.0001) y OR 0.45 (IC 95 %: 0.28, 0.70; p =0.001) respectivamente, con similar tendencia en el análisis multivariado. Los sujetos con peso bajo tuvieron la mayor mortalidad (OR: 2.12. IC 95%: 0.91 - 5.54. p: 0.097). DISCUSIÓN. Los resultados obtenidos apoyan la teoría de paradoja de obesidad, sin embargo, no se realizó evaluación según los niveles de obesidad. CONCLUSIÓN. La mortalidad en choque séptico es menor en sujetos con sobrepeso y obesidad comparada con sujetos con peso normal o bajo peso.

The obesity paradox proposes that, in certain diseases, patients with obesity have lower mortality. OBJECTIVE. To associate body mass index with 30-day mortality in adults with septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Observational, analytical, retrospective, multicenter, retrospective study. We analyzed 673 patients with septic shock, admitted to intensive care in two hospitals in the city of Quito - Ecuador, during January 2017 - December 2019. Inclusion criteria: older than 18 years, septic shock, weight, height and vital condition at day 30. Exclusion criteria: Do not resuscitate order, pregnant women, organ donation protocol, palliative care. Variables were collected from the digital and physical medical records of the participating centers. Calculated risk estimates were presented as OR (Odds Ratio) in bivariate analysis and OR Adj (adjusted OR) for multivariate analysis. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. All statistical analyses were performed using R® statistical software (Version 4.1.2). RESULTS. The mean age was 65 years, mean body mass index 25.9 kg/m2 (+4.9 kg/m2). Body mass index > 25 kg/m2 was 54.3%. Overall mortality was 49.2%. Overweight and obese subjects had lower mortality, OR: 0.48 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.68; p<0.0001) and OR 0.45 (95 % CI: 0.28, 0.70; p=0.001) respectively, with similar trend in multivariate analysis. Underweight subjects had the highest mortality (OR: 2.12. 95% CI: 0.91 - 5.54. p: 0.097). DISCUSSION. The results obtained support the obesity paradox theory, however, assessment according to obesity levels was not performed. CONCLUSIONS. Mortality in septic shock is lower in overweight and obese subjects compared to normal weight or underweight subjects.

Pre-Chemotherapy Dental Screening: Is There Additional Diagnostic Value for a Panoramic Radiograph?

BACKGROUND: The oral cavity is a potential source of infectious complications in patients treated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy (CT). Pre-chemotherapy oral examination to identify foci of infection is recommended, but it is unclear whether this should include panoramic radiography. The present study aimed to evaluate the additional diagnostic merit of panoramic radiography as part of pre-CT oral screening. METHODS: Patients with solid tumors scheduled to receive a myelosuppressive CT were eligible. The foci definition followed the guidelines of the Dutch Association of Maxillofacial Surgery. Oral foci assessed by clinical evaluation and panoramic radiography were compared. RESULTS: In 33 out of 93 patients (35.5%), one or more foci were identified by clinical examination, whereas in 49.5% of patients, panoramic radiography showed pathology. In 19 patients, an oral focus was missed by clinical examination only, whereas in 11 patients, panoramic radiography indicated periodontal bone loss, but advanced periodontitis was not substantiated by clinical examination. CONCLUSIONS: Panoramic radiographs complement clinical examinations and have additional diagnostic value. Nevertheless, the additional merit seems small, and the clinical relevance may vary depending on the anticipated risk of developing oral complications and the need for detailed diagnosis and rigorous elimination of oral foci prior to the start of cancer therapy.

The Role of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in the Management of Brucellosis: An Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Diagnosis of focal infection in brucellosis is important to direct optimal treatment. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) may be helpful in this aspect. Methods: The clinical and imaging data of all patients with brucellosis, who underwent FDG PET/CT as part of the investigation in Rambam Health Care Campus, where FDG PET/CT became the recommended imaging modality for suspected focal infection in brucellosis since 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. The detection of focal infection as well as management modification before and after FDG PET/CT were recorded. Results: FDG PET/CT was performed in 30 episodes of brucellosis occurring in 27 patients: 20 primary episodes and 10 suspected relapse episodes. The mean age of the patients was 50 ± 15.07 years. Focal disease was diagnosed in 18 of 30 (60%) episodes, of which 8 (26.6%) were diagnosed for the first time by FDG PET/CT, all of whom had spinal infection, with a concomitant additional focus in 5. Overall, multifocal disease was diagnosed in 10 of 18 (55.5%) of patients with focal disease. Management modification following FDG PET/CT was recorded in 17 of 30 (56.6%) episodes, mainly by treatment extension in spinal infection and withholding treatment in patients with suspected relapse but no evidence of active disease by FDG PET/CT. Conclusions: FDG PET/CT was found to be helpful in the diagnosis of focal infection in brucellosis. Multifocal disease seems more prevalent than previously described. The clinical impact of adding FDG PET/CT to the diagnostic workup of brucellosis should be evaluated in future studies.

Cambio rutinario de instrumental y guantes quirúrgicos en cirugía abdominal: ¿cuál es el impacto sobre el riesgo de infección? / Routine change of surgical instruments and gloves in abdominal surgery: what is the impact on the risk of infection?

Objetivo: Analizar la evidencia más actualizada sobre el cambio rutinario de instrumental y guantes quirúrgicos en cirugía abdominal, y su impacto en el riesgo de infecciones. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica, en las bases de datos PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, y MEDLINE. Resultados: A la fecha, la evidencia sumamente escasa sobre el potencial impacto del cambio rutinario de instrumental y guantes quirúrgicos en cirugía abdominal, y su relación con la incidencia de infección en el sitio operatorio. Sin embargo, no deja de ser un tema de interés en cirugía global. El estudio ChEETAh, ensayo realizado en siete países de bajos y medianos ingresos, que evaluó el cambio rutinario tanto de guantes como de instrumental quirúrgico en cirugía abdominal y su relación con la infección, demostró que, la frecuencia de infección en sitio operatorio fue del 16% (n=931) en el grupo intervención, comparado a un 18,9% (n=1280) en el grupo control (RR 0,87; IC 95%: 0,79 ­ 0,95; p=0,0032). Así, podría existir cierta protección adicional con el cambio rutinario de guantes e instrumental en cirugía abdominal. Conclusión: Aunque la evidencia es limitada y heterogénea, existe una tendencia respecto a un potencial beneficio frente a la incidencia de infección en sitio operatorio, en el cambio rutinario de guantes e instrumental quirúrgico en cirugía abdominal(AU)

Objective: To analyze the most recent evidence regarding the routine change of surgical instruments and gloves in abdominal surgery and its impact on the risk of infections. Methods: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and MEDLINE databases. Results: To date, the evidence regarding the potential impact of routine changes in surgical instruments and gloves in abdominal surgery and their relationship with the incidence of surgical site infections is extremely scarce. Nevertheless, it remains a topic of interest in global surgery. The ChEETAh study, conducted in seven low and middle-income countries, which assessed the routine change of both gloves and surgical instruments in abdominal surgery and its relation to infection, demonstrated that the frequency of surgical site infection was 16% (n=931) in the intervention group compared to 18.9% (n=1280) in the control group (RR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.79 ­ 0.95; p=0.0032). Thus, there may be some additional protection with the routine change of gloves and instruments in abdominal surgery. Conclusion: Although the evidence is limited and heterogeneous, there is a trend suggesting a potential benefit in reducing the incidence of surgical site infections through the routine change of gloves and surgical instruments in abdominal surgery(AU)

Diagnostic value of neutrophil CD64 index in disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteria infection / 中华传染病杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of neutrophil CD64 index (nCD64) in disseminated nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection.Methods:Thirty-six patients with NTM infection from January 2020 to June 2021 in Huashan Hospital, Fudan University were included. Patients were classified into groups of disseminated infection and focal infection according to their medical history and discharge diagnosis. The expressions of nCD64 in patients with focal infection and disseminated infection before treatment were collected and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, and the diagnostic value of nCD64 for disseminated NTM infection was analyzed using the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve). Results:Among the 36 patients with NTM infection, 18 cases were focal infection (due to the low white blood cell count of the patient with myelodysplastic syndrome, the detection results were biased, which were excluded from the subsequent analysis) and 18 cases were disseminated infection. The expression of nCD64 in focal infection was 0.72(0.50, 1.55), and that in disseminated infection was 13.63(6.77, 32.31). The difference was statistically significant ( U=15.50, P<0.001). Using focal infection as a control, the area under the ROC curve for the operational characteristics of the subjects was 0.949 3 for disseminated NTM infection. The diagnostic cut-off value of nCD64 was 3.06, with the sensitivity and specificity of the disseminated NTM infection were 88.89% and 100.00%, respectively. Conclusions:In patients with NTM infection before effective treatment, the diagnostic cut-off value of nCD64 of 3.06 has high sensitivity and specificity, which is useful for the aided diagnosis of disseminated NTM infection.

Assessment of oral health condition in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the oral health condition and dental treatments performed in patients in pre-allogeneic HCT. Method: The records of patients treated during 2018 at a Brazilian HCT service were reviewed. The following oral health data were obtained: 1. Decayed, missing and filled teeth / correlated index for primary dentition (DMFT/dmft); 2. Quality of oral hygiene and 3. Dental pathologies: 3.1 Periodontal infectious focus, 3.2 Endodontic infectious focus and 3.3 Carie incidence. All dental procedures performed were surveyed. Results: Thirty-three patients were included, with a mean age of 28.42 (±16.37), 20 male (60%) and 13 female. The average DMFT/dmft found in this study was 10.24 (± 8.37), similar to the index found in the population in southeastern Brazil. The younger study population presented a DMFT/dmft considered high, when compared to the general population. A total of 27.2% of the patients had active caries lesions, 33.3%, foci of periodontal infection, 15.1%, endodontic infectious focus and 40%, poor oral hygiene. Almost half of the patients (48.4%) had to undergo dental intervention, 24.2% needing periodontal scaling, 21.2%, fillings and 12.1%, tooth extractions. Conclusion: We conclude that the studied population had an important incidence of dental pathologies and infectious conditions that could complicate throughout HCT, especially in younger patients, therefore presenting a high demand for dental treatment in the pre-HCT. Studies that assess the impact of dental conditioning on the outcomes of HCT with an emphasis on dental infectious complications, days of hospitalization and survival are necessary."

Mental foramen in panoramic radiography can be a reference for discrimination of punched-out lesions in the mandible in patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma: A cross-sectional study.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematopoietic malignancy characterized by monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells. MM features bony radiolucencies called punched-out lesions (POLs), which require appropriate diagnosis due to increased risk of surgically-related adverse events. Although dental surgeons can identify dental focal infections (DFIs) in MM patients, the prevalence and characteristics of POLs in the jawbone of MM patients have not been investigated. We examined the prevalence of POLs in the mandible of MM patients, evaluated its relationship with MM International Staging System progression, and examined panoramic radiographs as a diagnostic reference for POLs in a single center in Japan. We identified 98 patients (55 men, 43 women) with a median age of 63 (range, 34 to 91) years. Of these, 18 patients (18.4%) had POLs in the mandible, including two patients in stage I (2/37; 5.4%), six in stage II (6/43; 14.0%), and ten in stage III (10/18; 55.6%). The prevalence of POLs significantly increased with MM stage progression (p < 0.0001). POLs confirmed on computed tomography (CT) were also detected on panoramic radiographs. The Hounsfield unit value at the site of POLs was nearly the same or lower than that of the mental foramen. Although the prevalence of POLs in the mandible is low, dental surgeons need to differentiate POLs as radiological findings when examining DFIs in MM patients. Confirmation of POLs in the mandible is possible by CT and panoramic radiography, and the mental foramen is likely to be a reference for discrimination.