Context:Most of the adult population is colonized by Candida in their oral cavity. The process of colonization depends on several factors, including the interaction between Candida and salivary proteins. Therefore, salivary gland hypofunction may alter the oral microbiota and increase the risk for opportunistic infections, such as candidiasis. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the relationship between salivary flow rates (SFRs) and Candida colony counts in the saliva of patients with xerostomia.Aims:This study aims to determine and evaluate the relationship between SFRs and Candida colony forming units (CFUs) in patients with xerostomia.Settings and Design:This study was a descriptive study.Subjects and Methods:The study participants were taken from the patients attending outpatient department in a private dental college. Fifty patients, who reported xerostomia in a questionnaire of the symptoms of xerostomia, were selected. Chewing stimulated whole saliva samples were collected from them and their SFRs were assessed. Saliva samples were inoculated in the Sabouraud dextrose agar culture media for 24–48 h, and Candida CFUs were counted.Statistical Analysis Used:Chi-squared test was used to analyze the data.Results:There was a significant inverse relationship between salivary flow and candida CFUs count when patients with high colony counts were analyzed (cutoff point of 400 or greater CFU/mL). Females had less SFR than males. Most of the patients who had hyposalivation were taking medication for the underlying systemic diseases. Candida albicans was the most frequent species.Conclusions:There was a significantly negative correlation between SFRs and Candida CFUs in the patients with xerostomia.
A 49-year-old healthy white British female, not previously known to psychiatric services, presented with an acute onset of florid psychotic symptoms. Her symptoms included visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations as well as persecutory delusions. She was started on antipsychotic medication; however, her psychotic symptoms did not improve significantly in the first 3 months. Her blood tests were normal. Lumbar puncture was performed which was positive for protein 14-3-3. A computed tomography scan of the brain showed generalised atrophic changes. The history of early visual hallucinations, rapid cognitive decline and positive 14-3-3 result was in keeping with the Heidenhain variant of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Despite a short life expectancy as reported in literature, our patient, who was diagnosed with sCJD more than two-and-a-half years ago, is still alive. We therefore believe this is an important finding to report.
Aim:To evaluate the awareness of diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) among general dental practitioners and to understand their attitude toward the relevance of these disorders. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire containing 17 questions regarding etiology, signs and symptoms, investigations and management of temporomandibular joint disorders and about the relevance of managing the same in routine clinical practice was answered by 100 general dental practitioners in Southern India. The results obtained were tabulated and were analyzed using non-parametric Spearman's rank correlation and Pearson (parametric) correlations. Results: Our study found that while clinicians were well versed with the etiologic factors responsible for TMD and their diagnosis, the domain of management of TMD was an area that needed improvement. Conclusion: General dental practitioners could benefit from education programs aimed at highlighting the management aspect of TMD.
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