Sara Torretta

Human CD1c+ dendritic cells secrete high levels of IL-12 and potently prime cytotoxic T cell responses

Dendritic cells (DC) have the unique capacities to induce primary T-cell responses. In mice, CD8α(+)DC are specialized to cross-prime CD8(+) T cells and produce interleukin-12 (IL-12) that promotes cytotoxicity. Human BDCA-3(+)DC share several relevant characteristics with CD8α(+)DC, but the capacities of human DC subsets to induce CD8(+) T-cell responses are incompletely understood. Here we compared CD1c(+) myeloid DC (mDC)1, BDCA-3(+)mDC2, and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues for phenotype, cytokine production, and their capacities to prime cytotoxic T cells. mDC1 were surprisingly the only human DC that secreted high amounts of IL-12p70, but they required combinational Toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation. mDC2 and pDC produced interferon-λ and interferon-α, respectively. Importantly, mDC1 and mDC2 required different combinations of TLR ligands to cross-present protein antigens to CD8(+) T cells. pDC were inefficient and also expressed lower levels of major histocompatibility complex and co-stimulatory molecules. Nevertheless, all DC induced CD8(+) memory T-cell expansions upon licensing by CD4(+) T cells, and primed naive CD8(+) T cells following appropriate TLR stimulation. However, because mDC1 produced IL-12, they induced the highest levels of cytotoxic molecules. In conclusion, CD1c(+)mDC1 are the relevant source of IL-12 for naive T cells and are fully equipped to cross-prime cytotoxic T-cell responses.

Tonsillectomy in Children with Periodic Fever with Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis Syndrome

OBJECTIVE To seek evidence supporting a role for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy in the management of affected children with periodic fever with aphthous stomatitis, pharnygitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome. STUDY DESIGN A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all published English-language observational and randomized studies evaluating the efficacy of tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy on PFAPA syndrome. A combination of keywords was used to identify relevant articles. RESULTS A total of 15 studies including 149 treated children were found, including 13 observational noncomparative studies and 2 randomized controlled trials. The pooled rate of complete resolution emerging from the combined analysis of all treated children was 83% (95% CI, 77%-89%). A meta-analysis of the two randomized controlled trials showed homogeneity of the results (P=.37, Breslow-Day test) and a common odds ratio for complete resolution of 13 (95% CI, 4-43; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Surgery appears to be a possible option for management of PFAPA syndrome. Available evidence is limited, however, and the precise role of surgery remains to be clarified. We suggest considering this option when symptoms markedly interfere with the childs quality of life and medical treatment has failed.

Different therapeutic strategies for burning mouth syndrome: preliminary data.

BACKGROUND To compare different therapeutic supportive approaches in patients with burning mouth syndrome. A prospective study was carried out for this purpose. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study involved 56 patients with burning mouth syndrome. They were randomly assigned to treatment with capsaicin, alpha-lipoic acid or lysozyme-lactoperoxidase (test drugs) or boric acid (control group). Symptoms were scored after 60 days treatment and 60 days after drug discontinuation. RESULTS At the end of the treatment period, there was a significant reduction in the symptom scores of all of the patients who received the test drugs (P<0.01), and at the end of the follow-up period in the test groups as a whole (P<0.01); the reduction was not significant when considering each test group separately after the treatment period. All of the treatments were more effective than boric acid and there was no significant difference in the symptom scores of the control group at either of the study time-points. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the similar effectiveness of capsaicin and alpha-lipoic acid in controlling the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome. Lysozyme-lactoperoxidase may be effective in the supportive care of BMS patients with xerostomia. The transitory effect observed after discontinuing drug administration justifies the use of prolonged therapy in chronically affected patients.

Botulinum toxin therapy : a tempting tool in the management of salivary secretory disorders

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of botulinum toxin therapy in salivary secretory disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS We treated 24 patients with botulinum neurotoxin type A for drooling, salivary fistulas, sialoceles, recurrent parotitis, and Freys syndrome; each parotid gland and submandibular gland received 25 to 60 and 10 to 40 mouse units, respectively, per session. All the patients other than those with Freys syndrome underwent, for diagnostic purpose, color Doppler ultrasonography (Hitachi H 21; frequency, 7.5 MHz, Scanner, Kashiwa, Japan), and Minors test was carried out for gustatory sweating; pretreatment magnetic resonance sialography (Philips Gyroscan Intera, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) and sialoendoscopy were also performed in selected cases. The follow-up included clinical and ultrasonographic examinations and Minors test. RESULTS A clinical improvement was observed in all patients: complete clinical recovery in 12, subtotal in 6, and partial in 6. A self-assessment test suggested the cessation of sweating by the 10th day in most patients with Freys syndrome. Botulinum toxin lost its effectiveness approximately after 4 months, requiring further administrations especially for drooling. No major side effects were observed with the exception of transitory paresis of the lower branch of the facial nerve in a patient with concomitant autonomic diabetic neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that botulinum toxin therapy is valid for the nonsurgical management of patients with salivary secretory disorders; the use of color Doppler ultrasonographic monitoring warrants the safety of the procedure.

Nasopharyngeal Biofilm-Producing Otopathogens in Children with Nonsevere Recurrent Acute Otitis Media

Objective. Bacterial biofilms have been detected in biopsies of the adenoid and middle ear mucosa of otitis-prone children and children with chronic middle otitis media. However, the invasiveness of biopsy makes it unsuitable for routine clinical practice, especially in pediatrics. This study aimed to investigate nasopharyngeal biofilm-producing otopathogens (BPOs) of nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) in children with a history of nonsevere recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) and healthy controls. Study Design. A cross-sectional study with planned data collection. Setting. University of Milan. Subjects and Methods. Transoral NPS were taken from infants and children aged 10 months to 11 years with nonsevere RAOM or healthy controls without adenoid hypertrophy. Nasopharyngeal colonization by otopathogens was assessed by means of microbiological cultures and standard bacterial identification, as well as nasopharyngeal BPOs by means of spectrophotometric analysis. Results. The study involved 113 children (56.6% males; median age 40 months; range, 10-132 months): 58 with a history of nonsevere RAOM (51.3%) and 55 controls (48.7%). Otopathogens were significantly more frequently detected in the RAOM group (24/58, 41.4%) than in controls (8/55, 14.5%; P = .003); the main pathogens were respectively Haemophilus influenzae (12/24, 50.0%) and Streptococcus pyogenes (3/8, 37.5%). Nasopharyngeal BPOs were more frequently isolated in the RAOM group (17/58, 29.3%) than in controls (6/55, 10.9%; P = .02). H influenzae (12/17, 70.6%) was confirmed as the main pathogen in the RAOM group. Conclusion. The presence of nasopharyngeal BPOs is an important factor favoring RAOM; it is therefore useful investigating biofilms even in children with nonsevere recurrences of AOM without adenoid hypertrophy.

The Role of Adenectomy for Salivary Gland Obstructions in the Era of Sialendoscopy and Lithotripsy

Salivary gland ductal obstructions are common, being the most frequent nonneoplastic salivary disorders in adults. Salivary calculi are the main cause of obstruction. Traditional and invasive transcervical sialadenectomy is still the most widely used treatment for perihilar and intraparenchymal obstructive salivary diseases worldwide despite the well-known morbidity related to its functional, neurologic, and aesthetic sequelae. However, improved radiologic imaging, better optical systems and endoscopic devices, and the introduction of minimally invasive therapeutic options have allowed the development of conservative gland-preserving techniques for managing salivary gland obstructions, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, operative sialoendoscopy, video-assisted transoral and transcervical stone removal, and ductal rehabilitation through interventional radiology and sialoendoscopy. Through adopting a minimally invasive and multimodal policy, a significant number (74%-100%, technique dependent) of salivary calculi can be safely and successfully retrieved while leaving an intact and functional salivary gland system. Only 2% to 5% of patients require gland excision. However, long-term follow-up evaluations of obstructive symptom recurrence are needed before the ultimate benefits of a gland-preserving conservative approach and the residual role of adenectomy can be assessed.

Prevention and treatment of postoperative infections after sinus elevation surgery: clinical consensus and recommendations.

Introduction. Maxillary sinus surgery is a reliable and predictable treatment option for the prosthetic rehabilitation of the atrophic maxilla. Nevertheless, these interventions are not riskless of postoperative complications with respect to implant positioning in pristine bone. Aim. The aim of this paper is to report the results of a clinical consensus of experts (periodontists, implantologists, maxillofacial surgeons, ENT, and microbiology specialists) on several clinical questions and to give clinical recommendations on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat postoperative infections. Materials and Methods. A panel of experts in different fields of dentistry and medicine, after having reviewed the available literature on the topic and taking into account their long-standing clinical experience, gave their response to a series of clinical questions and reached a consensus. Results and Conclusion. The incidence of postop infections is relatively low (2%–5.6%). A multidisciplinary approach is advisable. A list of clinical recommendation are given.

Importance of ENT assessment in stratifying candidates for sinus floor elevation: a prospective clinical study

OBJECTIVES The aim of this article was to describe our experience in the field of preoperative ear, nose and throat (ENT) assessment in each candidate for (maxillary) sinus floor elevation (SFE) after the introduction of a systematic protocol. The protocol evaluates the sinus compliance by means of ENT preliminary examination with nasal fiberoptic endoscopy to identify all of the situations that may predispose to post-lifting complications, i.e. potentially irreversible (PIECs) and presumably reversible (PRECs) ENT contraindications to SFE, and to evaluate its impact on SFE success. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patient candidates for SFE were carefully assessed by means of case-history collection, complete ENT evaluation with nasal fiberoptic endoscopy and imaging to detect PIECs, PRECs, or no ENT contraindications for SFE. In case of PRECs, SFE was postponed until complete clinical recovery. Impact of preoperative ENT assessment on SFE outcome was assessed by means of post-lifting telephonic interview and ENT evaluation. RESULTS PRECs were detected and resolved before SFE was performed in 38.2% of our 34 patients; no intra- or post-lifting complications occurred in the patients with no ENT contraindications or PRECs. CONCLUSIONS The results of the study suggest that a careful multi-tasking preoperative management, including an ENT assessment with fiberoptic endoscopy and a radiological evaluation extended to the ostio-meatal complex, is very useful in candidates for SFE.

Topographic distribution of biofilm-producing bacteria in adenoid subsites of children with chronic or recurrent middle ear infections

Objectives: Bacterial biofilms have been found in the adenoids of children with recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) and persistent otitis media with effusion (OME). However, the possible difference in biofilm-producing bacteria (BPBs) between the adenoid surface at the nasopharyngeal dome (ND) and near the ostium of the eustachian tube (ET) has not been investigated. This study aimed to assess the difference in BPBs between adenoid biopsy specimens of the ND and those taken near the pharyngeal ostium of the ET in children with chronic adenoiditis with recurrent AOM and/or persistent OME. Methods: We collected adenoid biopsy specimens from the ND and ET during transoral endoscopic adenoidectomy to assess BPB by means of spectrophotometric analysis. Results: We collected 135 adenoid biopsy specimens from 45 children. BPBs were detected significantly (p = 0.04) more frequently in the ET samples than in the ND samples, mainly Staphylococcus aureus. Although the prevalence of S aureus was slightly greater in the ND samples, and that of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis was slightly greater in the ET samples, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The fact that BPBs were significantly more frequently located near the ostium of the ET suggests that the adenoids are a reservoir for bacteria and indicates that hypertrophic adenoids (particularly hypertrophy near the ostium of the ET) play a role in recurrent AOM and/or OME.

Biofilm formation by bacteria isolated from upper respiratory tract before and after adenotonsillectomy

Drago L, De Vecchi E, Torretta S, Mattina R, Marchisio P, Pignataro L. Biofilm formation by bacteria isolated from upper respiratory tract before and after adenotonsillectomy. APMIS 2012; 120: 410–6.