Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are one of the major causes of chronic orofacial pain affecting 28-86% of the population. The diagnosis of TMDs is challenging to a considerable number of practitioners and is influenced by their knowledge, attitude and experience. Aim: This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding TMDs among TMD experts and general dental practitioners (GDPs) in India. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 dental practitioners (32 TMD experts and 168 GDPs) across India, registered under the Dental Council of India, were included in the survey. A questionnaire consisting of 21 issues with regard to TMDs was designed from relevant standard textbooks. The questionnaire was pretested for validation and distributed personally or through the web designed program. The knowledge and attitude scores of both the groups were assessed and compared. The therapeutic modalities practiced by the groups were also noted. Results: A significant difference was found in the knowledge scores and attitude between TMD experts and GDPs. A significant correlation was found between attitude score and years of experience in both the groups. Both TMD experts and GDPs expressed little confidence in the management of TMDs. About 75% of GDPs expressed concern over an inadequate number of TMD experts. Conclusion: Need for continued updating of knowledge, panel discussions, and revisions of the curriculum in graduate schools was realized.
Marek's disease (MD), caused by Marek's disease virus (MDV), is a highly contagious neoplastic disease of chicken that can be prevented by vaccination. However, in recent years many cases of vaccine failure have been reported worldwide as chickens develop symptoms of MD in spite of proper vaccination. Distinct polymorphism and point mutations in Meq gene of MDV have been reported to be associated with virulence and oncogenicity. The present study was carried out with the objective to isolate and characterize field isolates of MDV on the basis of Meq gene. Twenty five samples of suspected cases of MD were collected and processed for virus isolation in duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) primary culture where 28% (7 of 25) samples showed characteristic cytopathic effects of MDV in the form of plaques and syncytia. Additional evidence of presence of MDV in these samples was confirmed by PCR. To analyze diversity in all seven isolates of MDV, a polymorphism study was carried out by cloning and sequencing of full length of Meq gene (1020 bp). Sequence homology of 7 isolates with 23 reference strains showed 98.10–99.40% similarity in nucleotide and 95.90–98.50% similarity in amino acid sequences. Six isolates revealed 5 repeat sequences of 4 prolines (PPPP) whereas, one isolate revealed only 4 repeats. In phylogenetic analysis, these isolates formed a separate cluster showing close relatedness to the Chinese isolates. The study indicates a high mutation rate in field isolates of MDV that may be probable cause of vaccination failure.
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