Challenges with the use of Xpert HPV as a screening tool for oral HPV among people living with HIV (PLHIV): experiences from Pune, India.

BACKGROUND: People living with HIV (PLHIV) are at higher risk for human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancers compared to the general population. Xpert HPV test is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay capable of rapid HPV detection. Performing the assay requires minimal intervention by laboratory personnel. Its use could improve oropharyngeal cancer screening among PLHIV living in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) with limited diagnostic capacities. However, Xpert HPV performance for oral samples has not been evaluated. Here, we describe our experience with Xpert HPV and compare its results with traditional PCR, for oral samples. METHODS: Oral samples from 429 PLHIV receiving care at a tertiary care hospital affiliated antiretroviral therapy center in Pune, India were used. Samples were collected either after a 30s oral rinse and gargle (n = 335) or in combination with cytobrush scraping of the oral mucosa (n = 91). Unsuccessful tests were those that generated an invalid or error result on Xpert HPV. Successful tests were those that generated a positive or negative result. Kappa statistic was used to compare concordance between Xpert HPV and traditional real-time PCR results. RESULTS: There were 29.8% (n = 127) unsuccessful tests, of which 78.7% (n = 100) were invalid and 21.3% (n = 27) were error results. Adding cytobrush scraping to oral rinse as a collection procedure did not significantly reduce the proportion of unsuccessful tests (p = 0.9). For successful tests, HPV positivity on Xpert was 0.3% (n = 1/299). Kappa statistic was 0.11, indicating poor agreement between Xpert HPV and traditional PCR results. CONCLUSIONS: Presently, Xpert HPV appears to have limited use for oral HPV detection among PLHIV using oral samples. More research to improve the diagnostic capabilities of Xpert HPV for oral samples among PLHIV is needed.

Comparative Evaluation of Sinus Complication and Survival Rates of Quad Zygoma versus Bizygoma in Combination with two Regular Implants in Atrophic Maxilla: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aim: To systematically review existing scientific literature to determine, compare and evaluate the sinus complication and survival rates of quad zygoma against two zygomatic implants with combination of two regular implants in atrophic maxilla in adults. Methods: Review was performed in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines and registered in PROSPERO-CRD42023392721 Electronic databases like PubMed, Google scholar and EBSCO host were searched from 2000 to December 2022 for studies reporting treatment of Atrophic maxilla with either quad zygoma or two zygomatic implants in combination with two regular implants. Quality assessment was evaluated using Cochrane risk of bias-2 tool for randomized controlled trials (RCT). The risk of bias summary graph and risk of bias summary applicability concern was plotted using RevMan software version 5.3. The odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) were used as summary statistic measure with random effect model and p value < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: Eleven studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative synthesis, of which only nine studies were suitable for meta-analysis. The pooled estimate through the odds ratio 0.59 signifies that the quad zygomatic implants on an average has 0.59 (0.18-1.93) times or odds of developing sinus complications while the SMD signifies that better survival rate (SR) on an average is 0.35 (- 0.61 to 1.30) times more by two zygomatic implants with combination of two regular implants as compared to quad zygomatic implants (p > 0.05). Publication bias through the funnel plot showed asymmetric distribution with systematic heterogeneity. Conclusion: Two zygomatic implants in combination with two regular implants provides better survival rate and less sinus complications compared to quad zygoma in atrophic maxilla. Despite the high SR observed, there is a need to conduct more randomized controlled clinical trials to examine their efficacy in comparison with other techniques.

Can Histopathological Evidence of Ankylosis of the Tooth be Helpful in the Prevention of a Medicolegal Case in Case of Iatrogenic Fracture of the Mandible during Dental Extraction where Preoperative Radiographs have not been Taken?

A fracture of the mandible is a rare complication that can occur during a dental extraction being carried out under local/general anesthesia. It is always advisable to take a pre-operative radiograph of the tooth to be considered for extraction to study the root configuration and make a surgical plan for the case. Most of the dental extractions carried out without taking a preoperative radiograph are completed uneventfully. However, in rare cases, complications can arise owing to local anatomical variations and lead to medicolegal issues and litigation. This article discusses the management of a case of iatrogenic fracture of the mandible during dental extraction, wherein a pre-operative radiograph was not taken; however, following extraction of the tooth and management of the fracture mandible, the histopathology report of the extracted tooth was suggestive of ankylosis of the tooth.

A Rare Case of Oral Cavity Eumycetoma.

Rationale: Mycetoma is a chronic granulomatous infection that involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue which presents as an abscess with multiple draining sinuses. It is common in the tropical and subtropical regions where the conditions favour the growth of the soil saprophytes - fungi and bacteria. Patient Concerns: We report the rare case of a 62-year-old patient who presented with a soft-tissue overgrowth in the mandibular posterior ridge area for eight months. Diagnosis: The patient was diagnosed with eumycetoma, with foreign-body reaction based on clinical and histopathological examination which revealed characteristic brown-coloured amorphous grains. Treatment: The lesion was surgically excised under local anaesthesia. Outcomes: On the seventh day post-operative follow-up, the patient was relieved of pre-operative symptoms and the surgical site had healed well. Take-Away Lessons: This particular case of eumycetoma had an unusual site and appearance, making the clinical diagnosis confusing with other reactionary lesions of the oral cavity.

Smokeless tobacco use and oral potentially malignant disorders among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Pune, India: Implications for oral cancer screening in PLHIV.

INTRODUCTION: In India, smokeless tobacco (SLT) is a predominant form of tobacco used among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Despite SLT being a risk factor for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), no prior studies have quantified the association of OPMDs with SLT use among PLHIV. This limits the planning of preventive and control strategies for oral cancer among PLHIV, who are at higher risk for the disease. METHODS: We enrolled 601 PLHIV and 633 HIV-uninfected individuals in an oral cancer screening study at BJ Government Medical College, Pune, India. Oral cavity images were collected using an m-Health application and reviewed by three clinicians. Participants with two clinician positive diagnoses were deemed to have suspected OPMDs. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were used to quantify the association between suspected OPMDs and SLT use among PLHIV. PRs for current SLT users, across HIV status and use duration were also estimated. Corrected PRs were obtained by modifying the maximum likelihood estimation. Models were adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol use and CD4 counts. RESULTS: Of those enrolled, 61% were men, median age was 36 years (IQR: 28-44), and 33% currently use SLT. Proportion of current SLT users was similar across PLHIV and HIV-uninfected groups but use duration for current SLT use was higher among PLHIV(p<0.05). Among PLHIV, current SLT users had a 5-times (95% CI:3.1-7.0) higher prevalence of suspected OPMDs, compared to non-users. Relative to HIV uninfected individuals with the same SLT use duration, significant associations with suspected OPMDs were seen for PLHIV with<10 use years (PR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.5-8.1) but not for PLHIV with≥10 use years (PR: 1.3, 95% CI: 0.9-1.8). CONCLUSION: PLHIV that are current SLT users are at high risk of OPMDs and potentially oral cancer. The development of strategies for screening, early detection, and management of OPMDs must be considered for this group.