Jacobo Limeres Posse

Oral health status of patients with a mild decrease in glomerular filtration rate

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health status of patients with mildly decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR). STUDY DESIGN The study group comprised 80 adults with GFR 60-89 mL/min. A group of 80 age- and gender-matched control subjects with GFR > or =90 mL/min were selected. Medical history, clinical examination, and biochemistry blood tests were performed in patients and control subjects. Renal function was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. A single dentist performed an intraoral examination of each patient and control subject. RESULTS No significant differences were detected between patients and controls in the number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth, supragingival plaque accumulation, calculus deposits, gingival inflammation, depth of periodontal pockets, clinical attachment loss, or dental mobility. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first study on dental health in the early stages of chronic renal failure. The results suggest that in patients with mildly decreased GFR, there are no alterations of the oral health status.

Oral HPV-Associated Papillomatosis in AIDS

A 36-year-old man who had AIDS with Kaposis sarcoma was referred for evaluation of extensive, painless oral papillomatous lesions. His history included sex with men, and his partner had a history of anogenital warts. The patient was receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Oral Bacteria Transmissible by Saliva and Kissing

Saliva contains microorganisms, particularly various bacteria, derived mainly from exfoliation from oral surfaces, especially the dorsum of the tongue, and from other locations—notably the respiratory tract and bleeding onto the mouth. Identification of oral bacteria may be confirmed by culture but approximately 30% are known as uncultivated phylotypes. Bacteria are identified routinely by morphological and biochemical tests, but nucleic acid–based methods are the most rapid and specific tools. Kissing often implies an exchange of saliva, making it an activity that can potentially produce transmission of oral bacteria from person-to-person until a susceptible recipient is reached who will develop the infection.

Fungi, Protozoa, Parasites, and Other Infective Agents Transmissible by Kissing

In this chapter we review relevant nonviral and nonbacterial agents; many of these are seen especially in immunocompromised people and can be life-changing or even lethal. Despite initial infection in early childhood and frequent exposure to fungi within the environment, immunocompetent individuals are generally able to contain fungi or maintain the yeast in a latent state. However, immune deficiencies lead to disseminating infections that, in the case of systemic (deep) mycoses, are often fatal without effective rapid clinical intervention. Infections can be transmitted by various routes but fungal infections such as candidiasis usually are transmitted by close mucosal contacts, though genetic factors play a role.

Systemic Bacteria Transmissible by Kissing

Bacterial infections can be transmitted by various routes. At one extreme, airborne or droplet bacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis) are fairly contagious while sexually transmitted bacterial diseases, such as syphilis, usually are only transmitted by close mucosal contacts. Saliva might contain bacteria transmissible by bites, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or kissing.

Viral Diseases Transmissible by Kissing

Abstract Viral infections can be transmitted by various routes. At one extreme, airborne or droplet viral infections (e.g., varicella zoster, ebola) are highly contagious. Most viruses can be spread by touching surfaces contaminated by the virus and then touching the mouth or eyes. Mass gatherings, clinical, and chronic care facilities may be hotspots for virus spread when transmission is via aerosols, droplets, or fomites (contaminated surfaces). Environmental factors which are often important for virus survival may include the ambient humidity, temperature, and pH of the environment they are in, so many viruses survive only a few hours in the environment and are often readily inactivated by common hygiene techniques, such as using soap and water, and some detergents, disinfectants, and antiseptics. Sexually transmitted viral infections, such as herpes simplex, are often transmitted by close mucosal contacts.

Infection Transmission by Saliva and the Paradoxical Protective Role of Saliva

Abstract Saliva is produced by both major (parotid and submandibular and sublingual) and minor (located in the mouth) glands, with different constituents and properties between the two groups. In the mouth saliva is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, watery liquid containing 99% water and 1% organic and inorganic substances and dissolved gases, mainly oxygen and carbon dioxide. Salivary constituents can be grouped into proteins (e.g., amylase and lysozyme), organic molecules (e.g., urea, lipids, and glucose mainly), and electrolytes (e.g., sodium, calcium, chlorine, and phosphates). Cellular elements such as epithelial cells, leukocytes and various hormones, and vitamins have also been detected. The composition of saliva is modified, depending on factors such as secreted amount, circadian rhythm, duration and nature of stimuli, diet, and medication intake, among others.

Reassessment of fluctuating dental asymmetry in Down syndrome

Fluctuating dental asymmetry (FDA) is a tool to measure developmental stability that could be increased in gonosomal aneuploidies. The aim of this study was to quantify FDA in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The study group comprised 40 individuals with DS, and a control group matched for age and sex was created. The target teeth were the maxillary central incisors (11,21), maxillary lateral incisors (12,22), maxillary canines (13,23), and maxillary first molars (16,26). Dental morphometric variables measured on CBCT images included tooth length, crown height, root length, mesio-distal diameter, crown-to-root ratio, vestibular-palatine diameter, mid mesio-distal diameter, mid buccal-palatal diameter, maximum buccal-palatal diameter, and cervical circumference. The FA2 fluctuating asymmetry index (Palmer and Strobeck, 1986) was applied. Some discrepancies in crown-to-root ratios and root length asymmetry were significantly lower in the DS individuals than in controls. Combining the crown-to-root ratio of tooth 11 versus 21, tooth 12 versus 22, and tooth 13 versus 23, we developed a predictive model with a discriminatory power between DS and controls of 0.983. Some dental morphometric variables may actually be more stable in DS individuals than in the general population. This offers a new perspective on the relationship between canalization, fluctuating asymmetry, and aneuploidy.