Alexandros Kolokotronis

Anti-Inflammatory and Antimicrobial Roles of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor

Human secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is an 11.7-kDa cationic protein and a member of the innate immunity-associated proteins. It is a nonglycosylated, highly basic, acid-stable, cysteine-rich, 107-amino acid, single-chain polypeptide ([50][1]). The SLPI gene, along with the elafin

Immunologic status in patients infected with HIV with oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia

Although numerous studies of oral manifestations associated with HIV have been reported, only a few refer to the correlation of these lesions with laboratory parameters. In this study we investigated the relationships between the two most common HIV-associated oral lesions, oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia, with the stage of the disease, circulating CD4+ cell counts, and the presence of anti-p24 antibodies in serum and stimulated whole saliva in 43 known HIV-1-infected persons. Although oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia were exclusively observed in subjects who were classified as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention group IV, only the prevalence of oral candidiasis is strongly associated with circulating CD4+ counts less than 200/mm3 (p < 0.02). The prevalence of oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia was significantly related to the absence of anti-p24 antibodies in serum (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively), but was only statistically significant for hairy leukoplakia in stimulated whole saliva (p < 0.02). The results suggest that oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia in correlation with immunologic status as indicated by low circulating CD4+ cell counts and the absence of anti-p24 antibodies in serum and the loss of secretory anti-p24 antibodies in subjects with hairy leukoplakia, may constitute prognostic markers for the progression of HIV-infection to AIDS. Our results also indicate that the absence of anti-p24 antibodies is not only influenced by the low levels of circulating CD4+ cells but probably by the presence of oral candidiasis or hairy leukoplakia as well.

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Diagnosed by Intra-Oral Myeloid Sarcoma. A Case Report

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare extramedullary malignant tumor composed of immature myeloid cells. It is strongly associated with a well known or covert acute myeloid leukaemia, chronic myeloproliferative diseases or myelodysplastic syndromes. Intraoral MS scarcely occurs. An unusual case of acute myeloid leukaemia, which was diagnosed by mandibular MS that was developed in the alveolar socket after a dental extraction, is reported. The histological examination (including immunohistochemical analysis) of a subsequent biopsy showed infiltration of the oral mucosa by neoplastic cells. This lesion was therefore classified as acute myeloid leukaemia. The patient was referred to oncologists that confirmed the initial diagnosis. The patient underwent chemotherapy and the mandibular tumor disappeared. Forty days later, a relapse of the disease, which appeared as a great-ulcerated lesion, was developed in the hard palate. Thirty days after the second chemotherapy had finished, a new intraoral tumor was developed in the vestibular maxillary gingiva. Review of the literature shows no report of intraoral relapse and particularly multiple relapse of a MS that involves the oral cavity. Even though MS is encountered infrequently in the oral cavity, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of conditions (especially tumors) with a similar clinical appearance.

Median rhomboid glossitis: An oral manifestation in patients infected with HIV

A follow-up study included the oral examination of 39 persons known to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. In addition to the other human immunodeficiency virus-associated oral lesions, lesions clinically similar to the smooth form of median rhomboid glossitis, which is now believed to be erythematous candidiasis located in the dorsum of the tongue, were found in seven patients (18%). Patients with median rhomboid glossitis were classified in different stages of the Centers for Disease Control 1986 classification system and showed an average of CD+4 cell counts 397.5/mm3. Also the presence or the absence of anti-p24 antibodies in the serum and stimulated whole saliva of the patients with median rhomboid glossitis did not correlate with the stage of the disease or with low levels of CD+4 cell counts as in other forms of oral candidiasis. Therefore our results suggest that median rhomboid glossitis should be included as a distinct form of oral candidiasis in the classification of the oral manifestations of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Follicular lymphoid hyperplasia of the palate: Report of a case and review of the literature

The follicular lymphoid hyperplasia of the palate is a very rare benign lymphoproliferative lesion that closely resembles lymphomas, clinically or histopathologically or both. A case of follicular lymphoid hyperplasia of the palate is reported. Clinically, the lesion presented as a firm, painless, nonulcerated, nonfluctuant and slowly growing swelling on one side of the palate. The biopsy showed the typical histologic features: multiple germinal centers with a rim of well-differentiated B lymphocytes together with a mixed, mainly mononuclear infiltrate with many plasmacytoid lymphocytes. The clinicopathologic features are described and integrated into a review of the 19 previously recorded cases. The diagnosis of a follicular lymphoid hyperplasia should always be considered in cases of palatal swelling.

Hereditary Angioedema: Three Cases Report, Members of the Same Family

ABSTRACT Background This current clinical case report highlights three cases of Hereditary angioedema (HAE) patients who are all members of the same family (father and his two daughters). The father has C1–INH deficiency, while his daughters have low C1–INH levels: the first possesses only 10% function and the second has low C1–INH level with 0% function. Of note, the second daughter was discovered to have HAE at the age of 2, thus making her the youngest known HAE case report in the English literature. Methods Assess the efficacy of administration of C1-INH before dental operation as regards the prevention of HAE episode, when total or partial C1-INH deficiency exist Results Acute angioedema leading to laryngeal oedema is a possibly fatal complication for HAE patients undergoing dental procedures. Use of both short-term and long-term HAE prophylaxis prior to dental operations might be life saving for those patients. Conclusions Prevention and early recognition of potential laryngeal oedema that can occur as a complication of dental procedures may be lifesaving for HAE patients.

Coexistence of Mucous Retention Cyst and Basal Cell Adenoma Arising from the Lining Epithelium of the Cyst

Objective: To report 2 cases of coexisting mucous retention cyst and basal cell adenoma arising from the lining epithelium of the cyst. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: Two cases of painless swellings, well-demarcated, soft to palpation, and located in the submucosa of the upper lip were clinically examined with the provisional diagnosis of mucocele or salivary gland tumor. Histological examination showed the presence of a large unilocular cystic cavity in many parts surrounded by single or bilayered lining epithelium composed of flattened to cuboidal cells, and in other parts surrounded by projections of cells arranged in a trabecular pattern far into the cystic cavity. The trabeculae were composed of basal and low columnar cells that sometimes formed small duct-like structures. Immunohistochemistry showed that the lining epithelium of the cystic cavity and the cells of the projections expressed cytokeratin 7 and high-molecular-weight cytokeratins. The cells of the projections were weakly positive for S-100 protein and negative for vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin. Based on the results, a diagnosis of coexisting mucous retention cysts and basal cell adenomas arising from the lining epithelium of cysts was made. Conclusion: The coexistence of mucous retention cysts and basal cell adenomas arising from the lining epithelium of the cyst is reported.

Susceptibility of Eikenella corrodens to antimicrobial agents.

Twelve Eikenella corrodens strains were isolated from dental infections and tested for their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents by an agar dilution method. All strains were susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin and tetracycline, and resistant to cephalexin and metronidazole and moderately resistant to erythromycin, gentamicin and cefaclor.

Plasmacytoid Myoepithelioma of the Palate: Case Report

Myoepitheliomas are extremely rare benign neoplasms of salivary glands. They represent 1–1.5% of all salivary gland tumors. They occur, principally, in the parotid gland and infrequently in minor salivary glands. There are distinct histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor which aid in the diagnosis. Myoepithelioma of the palate is uncommon and only a limited number of cases has been reported in the English literature. Herein, a case of plasmacytoid type of myoepithelioma of the palate in an adult female is presented along with review of the literature.

Oral Lipoma Located at the Left Lower Vestibule- Report of a Case and a Brief Review of the Literature

Summary Backround/Aim: The present paper focuses on examining a case report of an oral lipoma located at the left lower vestibule. Case report: The patient’s clinical state was thoroughly studied, along with the findings of histopathological examinations. The surgical treatment and postoperative course are also within the scope of this report. Numerous histogenesis theories and the appropriate tumor treatment are mentioned within the article, being always in accordance with the relative literature. Conclusions: Oral lipoma is a benign not very rare neoplasm, which occurs most commonly in adult males. The surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The diagnosis must always be established by histological examination.