Ronald E. Gier

Chlorhexidine mouthwash-induced fixed drug eruption. Case report and review of the literature

Various adverse reactions including anaphylactic shock have already been reported after the topical application of chlorhexidine. This article reports for the first time a hypersensitivity reaction in the form of fixed drug eruption after the use of a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. This report should bring an increased awareness of the possibility of systemic hypersensitivity reaction to chlorhexidine in a previously sensitized person. The report also will add fixed drug eruption to the list of skin hypersensitivity reactions caused by chlorhexidine.

Microbial contamination in four brands of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials

A previous investigation showed unopened irreversible hydrocolloid impression material to be contaminated with viable microorganisms. This study tested and compared four brands of commercial irreversible hydrocolloid impression material in factory-sealed containers for the presence of viable microorganisms. Twenty-four measured samples of each brand were taken from previously unopened containers using a sterile technique. The samples were placed on chocolate agar plates or in thioglycolate broth tubes and were incubated along with appropriate parallel controls. After incubation, colonies were enumerated, stained with Grams stain and identified using standard microbiologic methods. The four brands contained viable organisms in 50% to 100% of the samples incubated of agar media, and in 12% to 67% of the samples incubated in thioglycolate media. Samples from the top and middle portions of the containers had approximately equal contamination frequencies. The concentration of organisms varied from 12 to 82 colony-formed units per gram of contaminated sample. Most organisms isolated were common environmental contaminants. These samples contained viable microorganisms which, during routine use, may present a hazard to immunocompromised patients.

Bacterial contamination in irreversible hydrocolloid impression material and gingival retraction cord

This study tested two dental materials in factory-sealed containers for the presence of bacteria that may be a source of infection. Twenty samples of two dental materials found to have contamination in a pilot study were taken from unopened containers using a sterile technique. The samples were inoculated onto chocolate agar plates and into thioglycolate broths with appropriate controls. Plates were examined, colonies were enumerated, Gram stained, and identified. The resulting contamination frequencies were compared for statistical significance using Fishers exact test. Organisms were isolated from 10% of the negative inoculation control agar plates, while none of the control broths showed contamination. The alginate (irreversible hydrocolloid) showed contamination in 50% of the plates and in 65% of the broths (p less than 0.05). The retraction cord had a small sample size and yielded organisms on 5% of the sample plates and in 20% of the thioglycolate broths (p greater than 0.05).

Aerobic bacterial contamination in dental materials.

Current concern about disease transmission points out the need for better infection control in dentistry. The purpose of this study was to test samples of dental materials in factory-sealed containers for aerobic bacterial contamination. Multiple unopened containers of 12 different dental materials were obtained from the dental school dispensary. Samples were removed from each container and incubated at 38 degrees C in standard broth medium for 1 week. Those that exhibited visual signs of possible bacterial growth were subjected to a Gram stain for verification. The results of that test indicated that 20% to 30% of the samples of alginate, glass ionomer cement and base powders, and retraction cord contained bacterial contamination. The remaining eight dental materials exhibited no apparent bacterial growth. Thus viable aerobic organisms were found in samples from 4 of 12 dental material products.

Median maxillary anterior alveolar cleft: Case reports and discussion☆

Abstract Five cases of median maxillary anterior alveolar cleft have been presented, and the possible modes of development have been discussed. No family history of this cleft was found, and no cause for its development could be determined from the medical history in any of our cases. No other physical or dental developmental abnormalities were found.

Ataxia-telangiectasia: Review of the literature and a case report

Cutaneous vascular abnormalities are frequently detected on initial examination of newborns. Many of these lesions are common variations of normal lesions such as nevus simplex and strawberry hemangiomas. Some of the vascular abnormalities, however, are a feature of a number of syndromes with multisystemic involvement. These syndromes have been described under the heading of neurocutaneous diseases. Ataxia-telangiectasia is a neurocutaneous syndrome that appears with progressive cerebellar ataxia, oculocutaneous telangiectasias, and abnormalities of many other organs. Oral mucosa is also affected. Current concepts on the pathogenesis of ataxia-telangiectasia and one case of the disease are presented in this article.

The incidence and prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody in a dental school population

A study was undertaken to determine whether the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) increased among students in a dental school after exposure to patients. Predoctoral students were followed during their 4 years of dental school. An anti-HBs determination was made before patient contact and again just before graduation. Of the 247 predoctoral students initially tested, 6.1% were found to be anti-HBs positive. Of these only 145 students were tested again before graduation; four (2.8%0 who were initially anti-HBs negative seroconverted during the testing period. In addition, 31 staff, 73 graduate students and faculty, and 21 dental hygiene students were also tested for anti-HBs seroprevalence. This single test revealed 6.5% of the staff, 8.2% of the graduate students and faculty, and 4.8% of the hygienists to have the positive marker.