Barnali Majumdar

Clinical Appearance of Oral Candida Infection and Therapeutic Strategies

Candida species present both as commensals and opportunistic pathogens of the oral cavity. For decades, it has enthralled the clinicians to investigate its pathogenicity and to improvise newer therapeutic regimens based on the updated molecular research. Candida is readily isolated from the oral cavity, but simple carriage does not predictably result in development of an infection. Whether it remains as a commensal, or transmutes into a pathogen, is usually determined by pre-existing or associated variations in the host immune system. The candida infections may range from non-life threatening superficial mucocutaneous disorders to invasive disseminated disease involving multiple organs. In fact, with the increase in number of AIDS cases, there is a resurgence of less common forms of oral candida infections. The treatment after confirmation of the diagnosis should include recognizing and eliminating the underlying causes such as ill-fitting oral appliances, history of medications (antibiotics, corticosteroids, etc.), immunological and endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiency states and prolonged hospitalization. Treatment with appropriate topical antifungal agents such as amphotericin, nystatin, or miconazole usually resolves the symptoms of superficial infection. Occasionally, administration of systemic antifungal agents may be necessary in immunocompromised patients, the selection of which should be based upon history of recent azole exposure, a history of intolerance to an antifungal agent, the dominant Candida species and current susceptibility data.

Natural sweeteners as fixatives in histopathology: A longitudinal study.

Background: Fixation is the essential step in histopathological processing of tissues. Since formalin is a corroborated biohazard, its routine use as a fixative is a major health and safety concern and hence the quest for safer alternatives is envisaged. Natural sweeteners like jaggery and honey have proved to be effective tissue preservatives over 24 h. This pioneer eco-idea needs further research to expand its application. Aim: (1) To evaluate the fixative property of jaggery and honey over 6 months and ascertaining the results using hematoxylin and eosin stain (H and E). (2) To evaluate the compatibility of jaggery and honey fixed tissues for special stains - Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and Masson–Trichrome (MT). Materials and Methods: Equal bits of commercially available animal mucosae were preserved in 30% jaggery, 20% honey, and 10% buffered formalin (control) over 6 months at intervals. Following which, tissues were subjected to routine H and E, special stains - PAS and MT using standard operating procedures established in our group. Results: Formalin, jaggery, and honey yielded satisfactory results post 6 months for H and E and special stains, jaggery was comparable to formalin in tissue preservation. Conclusion: We propose the use of eco-friendly jaggery and honey as alternatives to formalin for long term tissue preservation.

Oral Lesions in Neonates

ABSTRACT Oral lesions in neonates represent a wide range of diseases often creating apprehension and anxiety among parents. Early examination and prompt diagnosis can aid in prudent management and serve as baseline against the future course of the disease. The present review aims to enlist and describe the diagnostic features of commonly encountered oral lesions in neonates. How to cite this article: Patil S, Rao RS, Majumdar B, Jafer M, Maralingannavar M, Sukumaran A. Oral Lesions in Neonates. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2016;9(2):131-138.

Hamartomas of the oral cavity

The majority of oral diseases present as growths and masses of varied cellular origin. Such masses may include simple hyperplasia, hamartoma, choristoma, teratoma, benign or malignant neoplasms. The distinguishing features of hamartomatous lesions are not certain, and often these non-neoplastic masses are indiscreetly denoted as neoplasms without weighing their pathology or biological behaviour. Essentially, understanding the dynamics of each of these disease processes forms an integral part of the appropriate treatment planning.

Cancer oriented biobanks: A comprehensive review

Biobanks provide a platform for innovative biomedical research and has improvised translational and personalized medicine to a great extent. Time 2009 published 10 ideas changing the world right now with biobanks on the list emphasizing its role in discovery and development of new therapeutic drugs. They form the cornerstone, providing resources for future investigations and biomarker discovery to understand the effects of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors on human morbidity, mortality and health. The aim of this review paper is to understand the role of biobanking in cancer research, the challenges faced and strategies to overcome these, for long term and sustainable research in the field of oncology.

Oropharyngeal Candidosis in HIV-Infected Patients—An Update

Oropharyngeal candidosis (OPC) is an opportunistic fungal infection that is commonly found in HIV-infected patients, even in the twenty-first century. Candida albicans is the main pathogen, but other Candida species have been isolated. OPC usually presents months or years before other severe opportunistic infections and may indicate the presence or progression of HIV disease. The concept of OPC as a biofilm infection has changed our understanding of its pathobiology. Various anti-fungal agents (both topical and systemic) are available to treat OPC. However, anti-fungal resistance as a result of the long-term use of anti-fungal agents and recurrent oropharyngeal infection in AIDS patients require alternative anti-fungal therapies. In addition, both identifying the causative Candida species and conducting anti-fungal vulnerability testing can improve a clinicians ability to prescribe effective anti-fungal agents. The present review focuses on the current findings and therapeutic challenges for HIV-infected patients with OPC.

Recurrent juvenile psammomatoid ossifying fibroma with secondary aneurysmal bone cyst of the maxilla: a case report and review of literature

Juvenile ossifying fibroma is a benign fibro-osseous lesion commonly affecting the extra-gnathic craniofacial skeleton of the young individuals. The psammomatoid and trabecular variants are its two histopathological subtypes having distinctive clinico-pathological characteristics. Secondary aneurysmal bone cysts are frequently reported to arise in the pre-existing fibro-osseous lesions but rarely reported in the psammmomatoid variant of the juvenile ossifying fibroma. Such hybrid lesions, especially massive in size, tend to exhibit a greater aggressive growth potential and higher recurrence rate and mandate complete surgical removal of the lesion along with a long-term follow-up. The objective of this case report was to present a rare incident of recurrent psammomatoid ossifying fibroma associated with a secondary aneurysmal bone cyst in the maxillary jaw bone of a young patient and review the similar published reports in the English literature.

Peripheral giant cell granuloma recurring as an exclusively intra-osseous lesion: An unusual clinical presentation

Giant cell lesions of the jaws represent distinctive clinico-pathological spectrum. They manifest as peripheral and central lesions, occurring as solitary growths to involving multiple regions of the jaw. The present report presents a unique case of giant cell lesions of the jaws, wherein a peripheral giant cell granuloma recurred exclusively as a central giant cell lesion in a young patient. The recurrence was noted after a time-span of 3 years since the diagnosis and surgical excision of the peripheral lesion. Biochemical investigations were advised to rule out the possibility of hyperparathyroidism. Following a confirmed diagnosis of central giant cell granuloma, not associated with any other systemic conditions, an apt treatment plan was devised for an early rehabilitation of the patient.

Accidental local infiltration of formalin into the buccal mucosa: A case report and review of the literature

Formalin is a hazardous chemical, yet it is the choice of fixative for diagnostic pathology. Dental surgeons routinely use formalin for preservation of oral biopsy specimens. Literature search revealed that during regular biopsy procedures, unintentional injection with formalin has occurred, and such rare seven cases have been reported till date. In addition to the literature review, the present article describes first case of accidental local infiltration with formalin into the buccal mucosa during a biopsy procedure, its damaging effect on the oral tissues, subsequent judicious management of the patient and successful tissue reconstruction with collagen membrane.

Beyond gene dictation in oral squamous cell carcinoma progression and its therapeutic implications

In recent, mechanisms behind transition from normal epithelium to premalignancy and finally to oral carcinoma have been linked to genetic and epigenetic multistep process. These epigenetic changes are heritable, potentially reversible, and presented as epigenetic signature normal and carcinoma cells. Such epigenetic alterations have been suggested as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small noncoding RNAs. These extragenetic changes have been reported to play a role in the modulation of several key signaling, regulatory, and repair routes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and other carcinomas. In this review, we summarize scientific developments in the last decade, substantiating the role of extra- and beyond genetic molecular signatures in OSCC progression, and potential biomarker and implications in chemotherapy intervention.