BackgroundIt has been suggested that tooth loss in later life might increase dementia incidence. The objective of this analysis is to systematically review the current evidence on the relationship between the number of remaining teeth and dementia occurrence in later life.MethodsA search of multiple databases of scientific literature was conducted with relevant parameters for articles published up to March 25th, 2017. Multiple cohort studies that reported the incidence of dementia and residual teeth in later life were found with observation periods ranging from 2.4 to 32 years. Random-effects pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to examine whether high residual tooth number in later life was associated with a decreased risk of dementia. Heterogeneity was measured by I2. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to assess the overall quality of evidence.ResultsThe literature search initially yielded 419 articles and 11 studies (aged 52 to 75 at study enrollment, n = 28,894) were finally included for analysis. Compared to the low residual teeth number group, the high residual teeth number group was associated with a decreased risk of dementia by approximately 50% (pooled OR = 0.483; 95% CI 0.315 to 0.740; p < 0.001; I2 = 92.421%). The overall quality of evidence, however, was rated as very low.ConclusionDespite limited scientific strength, the current meta-analysis reported that a higher number of residual teeth was associated with having a lower risk of dementia occurrence in later life.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-018-0729-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Brucellosis is a febrile zoonotic disease caused by one of several species of the Gram-negative coccobacillus Brucella. It is endemic to the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central America. However, cases have also been reported in the United States. Infection is most commonly transmitted via unpasteurized dairy products or through occupational exposure to livestock. The clinical presentation is highly variable; symptoms may include fever, myalgias, night sweats, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Less common features include orchitis, osteomyelitis, and sacroiliitis. In addition, pregnant women who contract brucellosis face a markedly increased risk of miscarriage. A presumptive diagnosis is typically established through correlation of patient history and classic laboratory findings, which include transaminitis, anemia, and leukopenia with relative lymphocytosis. Definitive diagnosis can only be established through isolation of Brucella species from blood or tissues. Treatment involves a prolonged course of multiple antibiotics; six weeks of combination therapy with aminoglycoside or rifampin and tetracycline represents the most common regimen. Healthy individuals who develop brucellosis have a generally favorable prognosis, as the case fatality rate is less than 2%. Nevertheless, early detection and treatment are essential to reduce the risk of long-term sequelae that may result from chronic, indolent disease.

IntroductionRedness of the nail plate—erythronychia—is a common condition involving one or multiple digits. It may affect the entire nail or present as longitudinal red bands that extend from the proximal nail fold to the distal tip of the nail plate. Rarely, red bands may traverse the nail bed horizontally. Although erythronychia is often idiopathic, it has also been associated with amyloidosis, Darier’s disease, lichen planus, and various other cutaneous conditions. We describe the clinical features of a 64-year-old Caucasian man who presented with transverse and longitudinal erythronychia affecting his fingernails. In addition, we review the classification of erythronychia and summarize the acute and chronic conditions that have been associated with this clinical finding.MethodsThe features of a man with polydactylous transverse and longitudinal erythronychia are presented. In addition, PubMed was used to search the following terms: erythronychia, longitudinal erythronychia, red lunulae, and subungual. All papers were reviewed, and relevant articles, along with their references, were evaluated. Informed consent was obtained from the patient for being included in the study.ResultsA 64-year-old Caucasian man with a past medical history significant for testicular cancer and pulmonary embolism presented with multiple horizontal pink-red bands affecting his fingernails. The discoloration was most prominent in the region distal to the lunula. In addition, the nails of the fifth digit of his left hand and third digit of his right hand featured longitudinal red bands extending from the distal curvature of the lunula to the free edge of the nail plate. A diagnosis of polydactylous longitudinal and transverse erythronychia, based on the clinical presentation, was established. Our patient’s red bands were asymptomatic and he was not concerned about the cosmetic appearance of his nails; therefore, no additional investigation or treatment was required.ConclusionPolydactylous transverse erythronychia is a rare condition characterized by the development of horizontal red bands affecting the fingernails or toe nails. It has only been previously described in a man with multiple system atrophy. In our patient, both transverse and longitudinal red bands were present simultaneously. Therefore, it is possible that horizontal erythronychia is an early clinical manifestation of longitudinal erythronychia.

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