Estomatitis aftosa recurrente / Recurrent aphthous stomatitis

La estomatitis aftosa recurrente (EAR) es la enfermedad clínica más frecuente de la mucosa oral. Su prevalencia en la población general varía entre el 5 y el 25%, siendo su pico de aparición en la segunda década de la vida. Hasta el momento, la etiopatogenia no está aclarada. En pacientes genéticamente predispuestos, el efecto de ciertos factores desencadenantes iniciaría la cascada de citocinas proinflamatorias dirigidas contra determinadas regiones de la mucosa oral. Las úlceras son redondas u ovaladas con márgenes eritematosos bien definidos y centro poco profundo ulcerado cubierto con una seudomembrana fibrinosa de color gris o amarillento. Pueden reaparecer a intervalos de pocos días y meses. Ante la aparición de aftas periódicas en la mucosa bucal, lo primero será realizar con correcto diagnóstico diferencial, descartar enfermedades sistémicas asociadas y valorar causas tratables antes de llegar al diagnóstico de EAR. En el momento actual no existe tratamiento curativo (AU)

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common clinical disease of the oral mucosa. Its prevalence in the general population varies between 5 and 25%, with its peak appearance in the second decade of life. So far, the etiopathogenesis is not clear. In genetically predisposed patients, the effect of certain triggering factors would initiate the proinflammatory cytokine cascade directed against certain regions of the oral mucosa. Ulcers are round or oval with well-defined erythematous margins and a shallow ulcerated center covered with a gray or yellowish fibrinous pseudomembrane. The ulcers may reappear at intervals of a few days and months. Given the appearance of periodic thrush in the oral mucosa, the first thing to do is to make a correct differential diagnosis, rule out associated systemic diseases and assess treatable causes before reaching the diagnosis of RAS. At present, there is no curative treatment (AU)

[Recurrent aphthous stomatitis]. / Estomatitis aftosa recurrente.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common clinical disease of the oral mucosa. Its prevalence in the general population varies between 5 and 25%, with its peak appearance in the second decade of life. So far, the etiopathogenesis is not clear. In genetically predisposed patients, the effect of certain triggering factors would initiate the proinflammatory cytokine cascade directed against certain regions of the oral mucosa. Ulcers are round or oval with well-defined erythematous margins and a shallow ulcerated center covered with a gray or yellowish fibrinous pseudomembrane. The ulcers may reappear at intervals of a few days and months. Given the appearance of periodic thrush in the oral mucosa, the first thing to do is to make a correct differential diagnosis, rule out associated systemic diseases and assess treatable causes before reaching the diagnosis of RAS. At present, there is no curative treatment.

SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy: characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized and non-hospitalized women due to COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence about how novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) affects pregnant women and their newborns. Comparisons with other members of the coronavirus family responsible for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) have been done to predict maternal and neonatal outcomes; however, more information is required to establish clinical patterns, disease evolution and pregnancy prognosis in this group of patients. METHODS: This paper is reporting a series of 91 women diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and puerperium. The analysis showed that 40 patients developed pneumonia, bilateral in most cases, with a 46.2% rate of hospitalization and 4 patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. In confront with previous publications, we have found a higher rate of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) severe forms, even when compared to non-pregnant women with the same baseline characteristics. We have analyzed the demographic characteristics, pregnancy-related conditions and presenting symptoms to identify features that could determine which patients will need hospitalization because of COVID-19 (Group 1-G1) and those who not (Group 2-G2). We have found that obesity and Latin-American origin behave as risk factors: OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.4-13.2, and OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1 - 6.2, respectively. Among the 23 patients that delivered with active SARS-CoV-2, the overall rate of cesarean section (CS) and preterm birth were 52.2% and 34.8%, respectively, but we observed that the rate of CS was even higher in G1 compared to G2: 81.8% versus 25%, p = .012. However, prematurity was equally distributed in both groups and only one preterm delivery was determined by poor maternal condition. There were no deaths among the patients neither their newborns. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the results of our cohort reveal that SARSC-CoV-2 infection may not behave as mild as suggested during pregnancy, especially when factors as obesity or Latin-American origin are present. No evidence of late vertical transmission was noticed but prematurity and high CS rate were common findings, although it is difficult to establish any causality between these conditions and COVID-19. Further evidence is required to establish if pregnancy itself can lead to severe forms of COVID-19 disease and whether risk factors for the general population are applicable to obstetric patients. Until larger studies are available, pregnant women should be monitored carefully to anticipate severe complications.

Perinatal mesenchymal stromal cells of the human decidua restore continence in rats with stress urinary incontinence induced by simulated birth trauma and regulate senescence of fibroblasts from women with stress urinary incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a condition that causes the involuntary loss of urine when making small efforts, which seriously affects daily life of people who suffer from it. Women are more affected by this form of incontinence than men, since parity is the main risk factor. Weakening of the pelvic floor tissues is the cause of SUI, although a complete understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the pathology is still lacking. Reconstructive surgery to strengthen tissue in SUI patients is often associated with complications and/or is ineffective. Mesenchymal stromal cells from the maternal side of the placenta, i.e. the decidua, are proposed here as a therapeutic alternative based on the regenerative potential of mesenchymal cells. The animal model of SUI due to vaginal distention simulating labor has been used, and decidual mesenchymal stromal cell (DMSC) transplantation was effective in preventing a drop in pressure at the leak point in treated animals. Histological analysis of the urethras from DMSC-treated animals after VD showed recovery of the muscle fiber integrity, low or no extracellular matrix (ECM) infiltration and larger elastic fibers near the external urethral sphincter, compared to control animals. Cells isolated from the suburethral connective tissue of SUI patients were characterized as myofibroblasts, based on the expression of several specific genes and proteins, and were shown to achieve premature replicative senescence. Co-culture of SUI myofibroblasts with DMSC via transwell revealed a paracrine interaction between the cells through signals that mediated DMSC migration, SUI myofibroblast proliferation, and modulation of the proinflammatory and ECM-degrading milieu that is characteristic of senescence. In conclusion, DMSC could be an alternative therapeutic option for SUI by counteracting the effects of senescence in damaged pelvic tissue.

Universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 before labor admission during Covid-19 pandemic in Madrid.

Objectives Asymptomatic women admitted to labor may act as silent spreaders of COVID-19. Therefore, universal screening at admission has been proposed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase-chain-reaction (qRT-PCR) tests in women admitted to labor. Methods Observational retrospective study of a cohort of pregnant women admitted to labor and delivery between April 8 and May 2, 2020 in a large maternity in Madrid. SARS-CoV-2 screening with qRT-PCR from combined nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs was carried out systematically. Screening performance was described. Results We attended 212 deliveries. Nine cases with COVID-19 diagnosis before admission were excluded. In the remaining 203 women, seven referred COVID-19-related symptoms but only one had a positive qRT-PCR. Among the 194 asymptomatic women, only one case (0.5%) was positive. Conclusions The percentage of positive tests in asymptomatic women admitted to delivery was only 0.5% during the post-peak period.

Incidence and clinical profiles of COVID-19 pneumonia in pregnant women: A single-centre cohort study from Spain.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding the incidence and characteristics of COVID-19 pneumonia amongst pregnant women is scarce. METHODS: Single-centre experience with 32 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 5 to April 5, 2020 at Madrid, Spain. FINDINGS: COVID-19 pneumonia was diagnosed in 61·5% (32/52) women. Only 18·7% (6/32) had some underlying condition (mostly asthma). Supplemental oxygen therapy was required in 18 patients (56·3%), with high-flow requirements in six (18·7%). Eight patients (25·0%) fulfilled the criteria for acute distress respiratory syndrome. Invasive mechanical ventilation was required in two patients (6·2%). Tocilizumab was administered in five patients (15·6%). Delivery was precipitated due to COVID-19 in three women (9·4%). All the newborns had a favourable outcome, with no cases of neonatal SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Severe cases of pneumonia requiring supplemental oxygen were more likely to exhibit bilateral alveolar or interstitial infiltrates on chest X-ray (55·6% vs. 0·0%; P-value = 0·003) and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels >10 mg/dL (33·0% vs. 0·0%; P-value = 0·05) at admission than those with no oxygen requirements. INTERPRETATION: Pregnant women with COVID-19 have a high risk of developing pneumonia, with a severe course in more than half of cases. The presence of bilateral kung infiltrates and elevated serum CRP at admission may identify women at-risk of severe COVID-19 pneumonia. FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (COV20/00,181), Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.