Background:To evaluate the salivary protein concentration in gingivitis and periodontitis patients and compare the parameters like salivary total protein, salivary albumin, salivary flow rate, pH, buffer capacity and flow rate in both young and elderly patients with simple methods.Materials and Methods:One hundred and twenty subjects were grouped based on their age as young and elderly. Each group was subgrouped (20 subjects) as controls, gingivitis and periodontitis. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from patients and flow rate was noted down during collection of the sample. Salivary protein estimation was done using the Biuret method and salivary albumin was assessed using the Bromocresol green method. pH was estimated with a pHmeter and buffering capacity was analyzed with the titration method. Student's t-test, Fisher's test (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD (ANOVA) tests were used for statistical analysis.Results:A very highly significant rise in the salivary total protein and albumin concentration was noted in gingivitis and periodontitis subjects of both young and elderly. An overall decrease in salivary flow rate was observed among the elderly, and also the salivary flow rate of women was significantly lower than that of men.Conclusion:Significant associations between salivary total protein and albumin in gingivitis and periodontitis were found with simple biochemical tests. A decrease in salivary flow rate among elderly and among women was noted.

Background:The correlation between certain systemic diseases and ABO blood group is a well-documented fact. The association between periodontal disease and ABO blood group is not studied in relation to a specific geographic location. Here is a study conducted on a group of patients belonging to South Kanara district of Karnataka state.Materials and Methods:A total of 750 subjects aged between 30and 38 years belonging to South Kanara district were selected on random basis. The study subjects were segregated into healthy/mild gingivitis, moderate/severe gingivitis, and periodontitis group, based on Loe and Silness index and clinical attachment loss as criteria. The study group was further categorized and graded using Ramfjord's periodontal disease index. Blood samples were collected to identify ABO blood group.Results:Prevalence of blood group O was more in South Kanara district, followed by blood groups B and A, and the least prevalent was AB. The percentage distribution of subjects with blood groups O and AB was more in healthy/mild gingivitis group (group I) and moderate/severe gingivitis group (group II), while subjects with blood groups B and A were more in periodontitis group III. There was increased prevalence of subjects with blood groups O and AB with healthy periodontium, while subjects with blood groups B and A showed inclination toward diseased periodontium.Conclusion:There is a correlation existing between periodontal disease and ABO blood group in this geographic location. This association can be due to various blood group antigens acting as receptors for infectious agents associated with periodontal disease. This broad correlation between periodontal disease and ABO blood group also points toward susceptibility ofthe subjects with certain blood groups to periodontal disease.

BackgroundCandida albicans is most frequently isolated from oral cavity but identification of other Candida species such as C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata & C. dubliniensis is increasing proportionately. A constant rise in immuno-suppressed patients, widening range of recognized pathogens, and resistance to antifungal drugs are contributing factors which stress the need for species identification of Candida, an opportunistic pathogen. Objectives: 1. To detect the prevalence of Candida albicans and Non albicans Candida albicans (NAC) species in the oral cavity of patients with epithelial dysplasia, Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy controls. 2. To identify and differentiate Candidal species using CHROMagar, a differential media.Material and MethodsThe study included smears from 50 patients with histopathological confirmation of epithelial dysplasia & OSCC and 50 normal controls. Candida albicans was identified using Sabouraud dextrose agar media (SDA) as primary culture followed by species identification using CHROMagar on the basis of colony color and morphology.ResultsNon albicans candida predominated (66%) over Candida albicans (34%) in speciation on CHROMagar media in the study group. Non albicans Candida species isolated were C. tropicalis (38%), C. glabrata (24%) and 2 cases showing polyfungal population of C. albicans & C. glabrata.ConclusionsSpecies level isolation of Candida helps in early identification of resistant non Candida strains and prompt treatment of the cases there by preventing the dissemination of infection in case of immuno-compromised individuals. The data presented also supports the use of CHROMagar Candida as a pertinent media for the rapid identification of Candida species directly from clinical specimens in resource challenged settings, which could be helpful in developing appropriate therapeutic strategy and management of patients. Key words:Candida, CHROMagar, epithelial dysplasia, oral cancer.

IntrOductIOnBiopsy is the diagnostic test of choice for oral potentially malignant disorders and malignant lesions.But since scalpel biopsy is an invasive procedure associated with potential morbidity,several adjunctive screening aids are used to assist clinicians with the detection of early cancerous changes [1]. Although oral exfoliative cytology is a simple non-invasive technique, the traditional exfoliative cytology methods show low sensitivity (i.e. a high proportion of false negatives), inadequate sampling, procedural errors, and the need for subjective interpretation of the findings [2]. Routinely shed oral epithelial cells can be detected in saliva and oral rinses, making cytologic and molecular analysis of this fluid attractive for oral cancer screening. In the present study epithelial cells collected via oral rinse method are subjected to routine cytologic analysis along with the conventional exfoliative cytology smear. The advantages of this method are increased patient comfort and the possibility of oral rinse collection by anyone, including the patient himself, without the requirement of health personnel or armamentarium, especially in resource challenged areas. MAterIAl And MethOdsHundred and five subjects from the Department of Oral Medicine, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Deralkatte, India with normal oral mucosa were selected for the study. The study protocol was approved by the Committee on Ethics of the Nitte University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India. Patients were informed with regard to the research objectives, methods, possible benefits and potential risks, and a written consent was obtained from all participants.Careful examination of the oral cavity was followed by exfoliative cytology (oral rinse based technique followed by wooden spatula based cytology).Techniques employed: Oral rinse technique was used to collect oral cells. Patient was asked to swish his/her mouth with water and expectorate. Then, the clinically normal buccal mucosa was rubbed on firmly by the patient themselves using their tongue for 30 seconds. While swishing phosphate buffered saline, pH -7.2 was used and patient was asked to expectorate into a sterile container. Once the sample was obtained, it was labelled and centrifuged at 1,000 rpm for 5 minutes. Supernatant fluid was discarded and smears were prepared from the cell plug. For exfoliative cytology, scrapings were obtained from clinically normal buccal mucosa using a standard moistened wooden spatula. Scrapings were smeared on labelled glass slides. All the slides thus prepared were immediately fixed in absolute alcohol and consequently stained with Papanicoloau stain. All slides were assessed by 2 trained cytopathologists, who were not aware of the type of the technique from which the material was collected. For comparative analysis of both techniques three parameters were used: a) cell yield b) cellular dispersion and d) cellular clarity. Both the observers were asked to grade each parameter into Good /Average / Poor in a data sheet comprisin...

Both smears were diagnostically reliable, however, the oral rinse-based method showed an overall improvement in sample adequacy and cellular clarity.