Dental students and COVID 19: An online multinational survey on perception and knowledge.

Background: Coronavirus is an emerging respiratory pathogen that causes coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), as per the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Objective: This study aimed to assess the state of awareness and extent of knowledge about COVID-19 among dental students from India, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 872 participants from December 2020 to January 2021. Random sampling was performed using an electronic questionnaire. One-way analysis of variance and independent sample t-test were performed to assess and compare the mean knowledge score between different demographic data. Results: Approximately 60% (n = 520) of the responders were women and 40% responders were men (n = 352). The responders were from Saudi Arabia (36.9%; n = 322), India (34.2%; n = 298), and Pakistan (28.8%; n = 252). The difference within the subgroups was statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05), indicating that dental students of all subparameters possessed equal knowledge on COVID-19. Conclusions: Dental students possess sufficient knowledge about COVID-19, qualifying them at least to work in a medical ward. However, more emphasis must be placed on infection prevention and control policies such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, and pre- and postexposure prophylaxis.

RésuméContexte: Le coronavirus est un agent pathogène respiratoire émergent qui provoque la maladie à coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), selon le Centre chinois chinois de contrôle et de prévention des maladies. Objectif: Cette étude visait à évaluer le degré de sensibilisation et l'étendue des connaissances sur le COVID-19 parmi les étudiants en médecine dentaire d'Inde, du Pakistan et d'Arabie Saoudite. Matériaux et méthodes: La présente étude descriptive transversale a été menée sur 872 participants de décembre 2020 à janvier 2021. Un échantillonnage aléatoire a été réalisé à l'aide d'un questionnaire électronique. Une analyse de variance à sens unique et un test t d'échantillon indépendant ont été réalisés pour évaluer et comparer le score moyen de connaissances entre les différentes données démographiques. différentes données démographiques. Résultats: Environ 60% (n = 520) des répondants étaient des femmes et 40% des répondants étaient des hommes (n = 352). Les répondants étaient originaires d'Arabie Saoudite (36,9% ; n = 322), d'Inde (34,2% ; n = 298) et du Pakistan (28,8% ; n = 252). La différence au sein des les sous-groupes était statistiquement non significative (P > 0,05), ce qui indique que les étudiants en médecine dentaire de tous les sous-paramètres possédaient les mêmes connaissances sur COVID-19. Conclusions: Les étudiants en médecine dentaire possèdent des connaissances suffisantes sur la COVID-19, ce qui les qualifie au moins pour travailler dans un service médical. Cependant, il faut mettre davantage l'accent sur les politiques de prévention et de contrôle des infections, telles que l'hygiène des mains, les équipements de protection individuelle, et la prophylaxie pré- et post-exposition. Mots-clés: Sensibilisation, maladie à coronavirus-2019, étudiants en médecine dentaire.

Effect of Photodynamic therapy and Er,Cr: YSGG laser on bond strength of bleached enamel to composite resin.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was bleached enamel reversal using conventional ascorbic acid (AA) and contemporary methods including Photodynamic therapy (PDT), Er, Cr: YSGG (ECL) on bond integrity to composite resin. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty sound permanent mandibular premolars were collected from a dental clinical setting and disinfected. All forty samples were mounted vertically in a rubber mold exposing only the clinical crown. All samples were bleached using Opalescence Boost Professional Teeth Whitening. After the bleaching procedure, each sample was randomly allocated into four groups according to surface treatment. Samples in group 1 were treated with methylene blue photosensitizer (MBP). Samples in group 2 were exposed to 10% sodium ascorbate. Samples in group 3 were treated with Er, Cr: YSGG laser (ECL). Samples in group 4 were not treated (control). All Samples were treated with 37% phosphoric acid and a bonding agent was applied. A bulk-fill composite was cured to all specimens and all samples were treated in a thermocycler. Specimens were placed in a universal testing machine for shear bond strength (SBS) testing. Descriptive statistics were associated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc test maintaining level of significance (p<0.05) RESULTS: The lowest SBS scores were achieved in the bleached enamel (BE) group (15.25±1.745 MPa). Whereas, the highest bond integrity was attained by AA group (32.23±1.854 MPa). Samples treated with ECL (31.87±1.659 MPa) and AA (32.23±1.854) were comparable (p>0.05). Samples treated with PDT exhibited significantly different SBS (22.41±1.258) compared to other experimental groups CONCLUSION: ECL showed a reversal effect of BE compared to AA and has the potential to be used in clinical settings. BE reversal using MBP needs further investigation.

The Efficacy and Adverse Events of Delafloxacin for Treating Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI) cause significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients and outpatients as well. Newer fluoroquinolones such as delafloxacin might be a useful medication for treating infections of skin caused by gram-positive bacterial species that are resistant. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate all the literature on delafloxacin in databases and make comparisons of its efficacy with antimicrobial drugs routinely used to treat skin infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A detailed search on different databases was conducted using, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and Embase. Primary outcome was microbiological cure at the end of the follow-up period. Absence of the signs and symptoms at the termination of the follow-up period and clinical response to medications was regarded as the secondary outcome. RESULTS: The pooled efficacy of delafloxacin was at 80% (95% confidence interval 1.01 [0.97, 1.06]; P = 0.51). No statistically significant difference was found between intravenous delafloxacin and comparator drugs. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of delafloxacin was found to be non-inferior to tigecycline and linezolid. Efficacy and pooled cure rate of delafloxacin was also found to be superior to vancomycin.

Antimicrobial efficacy of indocyanine green-mediated photodynamic therapy compared with Salvadora persica gel application in the treatment of moderate and deep pockets in periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: In order to prove the idea that topical application of drugs can improve the clinical parameters affecting periodontal disease, a sound comparison should be made between topical therapeutic models. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and Salvadora persica (SP) gel as adjuncts to scaling and root planning (SRP) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. METHODS: The selected patients were divided into three groups, Group I (PDT + SRP), Group II (SP + SRP) and group III (SRP alone). Clinical inflammatory periodontal parameters including plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain were assessed. Assessment of crevicular fluid interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. All measurements were recorded at baseline, 3 months and 6 months follow-up periods, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients completed the study. A significant improvement in the BOP was seen in Group II at both follow up visits when compared with other groups (p < 0.05). Only in Group-I that showed statistically significant reduction in moderate periodontal pockets at 3 months (p = 0.021), and significant reductions in deep pockets at 3-months (p = 0.003) and 6-months (p = 0.002), respectively. CAL gain also was reported to be seen in group-I at both visits (p < 0.05). Group- I and II significantly reduced the levels of IL-6 at 3-month period compared to Group-III. This reduction was further maintained by group-II and group-III at 6 months, respectively. TNF-α showed statistically significant decrease in Group II as compared to Group I and Group-III and this reduction was maintained by the end of 6-month visit (p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Both the treatment modalities PDT and SP helped in reducing periodontal inflammation. PDT reported significant gain in clinical attachment level, whereas the SP significantly reduced the bleeding levels.

Clinical efficacy of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis among HIV seropositive patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIM: To evaluate clinical periodontal and microbiological parameters after the treatment with adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients with necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (NUP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seropositive patients (Group-I) and health controls (Group-II) with NUP were randomized into two groups and further underwent APDT and scaling and root planing (SRP), respectively. Clinical periodontal parameters including full mouth plaque index (FMPI), bleeding on probing (FMBOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain were assessed. Levels of bacteria including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Tannerella forsythia (Tf) were assessed using PCR technique. All assessments were done at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS: All periodontal parameters including FMPI, FMBOP, PD and CAL significantly improved in both HIV seropositive and seronegative patients. The reduction in mean PD was higher only with the APDT treatment among group II patients compared to group I patients at follow-up (p < 0.05). The gain in mean CAL was higher only with the APDT treatment among group I and group II patients at follow-up (p < 0.05). All bacterial levels reduced from baseline to follow-up with both APDT and SRP treatments in both groups (p < 0.05). APDT showed significantly reduced counts of Aa and Tf at 3 months, and only Aa at 6 months among HIV seropositive patients, while the levels of Pg and Tf significantly reduced at 3 months and only Aa at 6 months in the seronegative patients, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Application of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing was effective in improving clinical periodontal parameters and bacterial levels among HIV positive patients with NUP. However, the improvement was not greater when compared with HIV seronegative patients.

Systematic review and meta-analysis on efficacy of cefixime for treating gonococcal infections.

BACKGROUND: Neisseria gonorrhea is known to have developed a high level of resistance against different classes of antimicrobials. Patients with coagulation disorders where intramuscular injections are contraindicated, oral cefixime in combination therapy can be utilized as an alternative regimen. Cefixime in combination with another macrolide might be considered as an alternative treatment option. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy of 400 mg cefixime against a range of comparator drugs. METHODOLOGY: Extensive literature search for randomized controlled trials was performed using Medline, Cochrane Registry of Controlled Trials, Embase, and Clinical trials registers. The trials assessed the efficacy of cefixime against a range of comparator drugs. Primary outcome of the study was the clinical resolution of signs and symptoms and negative culture at the end of follow-up period. RESULTS: After screening for a total of 1184, only 8 studies were eligible for a meta-analysis. Risk ratio random effects model was used with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled efficacy of Cefixime was at 97% at 95 CI 1.01 (0.98, 1.05). No statistically significant difference was found between oral cefixime and comparator drugs. CONCLUSION: A total of 11 studies were included following a review of 1184 publications. 8 randomized controlled trials for 400 mg oral cefixime were included in meta-analysis. Despite a high grade of evidence, a high risk of bias was found among studies. Hence, more high quality randomized controlled trials on cefixime needs to be performed in future to guide the treatment of gonococcal infections.

Susceptibility profile of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to linezolid in clinical isolates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the resistance and sensitivity pattern of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates to linezolid (LZD) along with its prevalence in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out. This study lasted for about 1 year. Prevalence and sensitivity of LZD, vancomycin, and oxacillin was tested against isolates of MRSA. RESULTS: Out of total 369 specimens 165 were found to be MRSA making the prevalence in our study 44.7%. All of the isolates which were tested positive for MRSA were susceptible to LZD and no resistance was noted when compared with previous studies performed in Europe and USA. CONCLUSION: Stringent implementation of infection control measures along with screening for resistance in patients on prolonged LZD therapy or who previously went under LZD therapy should be performed, coupled with judicious usage of the aforementioned antibiotic should be undertaken, as sufficient data is not available at this point for the clinical spectrum of LZD resistant S. aureus, antimicrobial resistance.