No evidence of association of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus with oral cancers: Experience from a tertiary care center in South India.

BACKGROUND: Development of oral cancer, a widely prevalent cancer in India, is multifactorial with increased risk in those habituated to smoking, consuming alcohol and chewing paan and tobacco. This does not preclude other etiological factors in the causation of this cancer. Exploratory studies on several oncogenic viruses have found varied associations with oral cancers. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the association of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus, (XMRV) a retrovirus recently implicated in oncogenesis in humans, with oral cancers. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The presence of XMRV proviral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was evaluated by standard nucleic acid amplification from DNA extracted from representative bits of tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues from surgically resected specimens sent post-operatively for routine histopathological testing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study comprised 109 patients with a provisional diagnosis of oral cancer who were operated at the Oral Oncology Department of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, over a period of 10 months. RESULTS: XMRV was not found in any of the tumor tissues (squamous cell carcinomas - 98; verrucous carcinomas - 4) nor in any of the normal tissues. It is thus important that the absence of this oncogenic virus in all the cases makes the association of XMRV with oral cancers very unlikely. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to investigate potentially oncogenic viruses in other solid tumors and in larger sample sizes. Any such association could have implications in detecting, preventing and treating these cancers.

Cell-free epstein-barr viral loads in childhood hodgkin lymphoma: a study from South India.

Cell-free Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) DNA is detectable in plasma of patients with EBV-related lymphomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of plasma EBV DNA as a biomarker of EBV association in childhood Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Furthermore, an attempt was made to evaluate the effectiveness of viral quantitation for assessing response to chemotherapy. Thirteen cases of childhood HL were included in this study. All 13 cases were EBV associated as reflected by expression of EBV LMP1 in the tumor specimen. Eighty-five percent had detectable EBV DNA levels; viral loads ranging from 2.9 to 156.2 × 10³ copies/ml (mean 29 × 10³ copies/ml); while in 2 patients and 30 controls tested, viral DNA was undetectable. In four patients, follow-up samples were available after three cycles of chemotherapy; all had EBV DNAemia prior to chemotherapy but undetectable EBV DNA posttherapy. This corroborated with complete response in these four patients. Plasma EBV viral load quantification maybe a useful tool for detecting EBV association with lymphomas and in monitoring response to treatment in childhood HL in centers with limited resources, more so in India where majority of childhood HL is likely to be EBV associated. This is the first Indian study estimating plasma EBV viral loads in HL.

Bacteraemia caused by Sciscionella marina in a lymphoma patient: phenotypically mimicking Nocardia.

A 55-year-old female patient with malignant lymphoma after induction chemotherapy developed fever. Blood culture yielded an organism biochemically identified as representing Nocardia spp., but molecular identification (16S rRNA gene sequencing) later identified it as representing Sciscionella marina. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, of Sciscionella being isolated from a human sample.

Prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among middle and high school children of Davangere city, India by using Dental Aesthetic Index.

BACKGROUND: Malocclusion has large impact on individual and society in term of discomfort, Quality of Life [QoL]. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess prevalence of malocclusion and orthodontic treatment needs among middle and high school children of Davangere city, India by using Dental Aesthetic Index [DAI]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 1000, in the age group 12 to 15 year old school children studying in middle and high schools of Davangere city, India. 10 schools were selected by simple random sampling procedure and 100 study subjects were selected proportionately for males and females by using systematic random sampling procedures in each school. Data recorded using proforma consisted DAI components. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The Chi-square test [x(2)] was used for comparison of severity of malocclusion. Analysis of Variance [ANOVA] test was used for comparison of mean DAI scores between the age groups and in DAI scores. 'Z' test was used for comparing the mean DAI scores between sex group. RESULTS: Of the 1000 children examined, 518[ 51.8%] were males and 482[ 48.2%] were females. 80.1% school children had < or = 25 DAI scores with no or minor malocclusion requiring no or little treatment, 15.7% had 26-30 DAI scores with definite malocclusion requiring elective treatment, 3.7% had 31-35 DAI scores with severe malocclusion requiring highly desirable treatment and 0.5% had > or = 36 DAI scores with handicapping malocclusion requiring mandatory treatment. CONCLUSIONS: 80.1% school children had no or minor malocclusion which required no or slight treatment, 19.9% had definite/handicapping malocclusion requiring definite/mandatory orthodontic treatment.

The effect of mango and neem extract on four organisms causing dental caries: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivavius, Streptococcus mitis, and Streptococcus sanguis: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chewing twigs of the mango or neem tree is a common way of cleaning the teeth in the rural and semi-urban population. These twigs are also believed to possess medicinal properties. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of these chewing sticks on the microorganisms Streptococcus mutans , Streptococcus salivarius , Streptococcus mitis , and Streptococcus sanguis which are involved in the development of dental caries. An additional objective was to identify an inexpensive, simple, and effective method of preventing and controlling dental caries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sticks were sun dried, ground into a coarse powder, and weighed into 5 gm, 10 gm, and 50 gm amounts. These were added to 100 ml of deionized distilled water. After soaking for 48 h at 4 degrees C, the water was filtered. The filtrate was inoculated onto blood agar plates containing individual species of microorganisms and incubated at 37 degrees C for 48 h. RESULTS: Mango extract, at 50% concentration, showed maximum zone of inhibition on Streptococcus mitis . Neem extract produced the maximum zone of inhibition on Streptococcus mutans at 50% concentration. Even at 5% concentration neem extract showed some inhibition of growth for all the four species of organisms. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: A combination of neem and mango chewing sticks may provide the maximum benefit. We recommend the use of both the chewing sticks.

Microscopic, cultural and molecular evidence of disseminated invasive aspergillosis involving the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract.

A patient with acute promyelocytic leukaemia developed invasive aspergillosis post chemotherapy during a pancytopenic episode, clinically involving the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. Dichotomously branched septate fungal hyphae were demonstrated microscopically in stools and sputa. Cultures of the samples yielded Aspergillus flavus, which were identical by RFLP and random amplification of polymorphic DNA analyses and antifungal MICs, proving disseminated disease. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first time that boluses of fungal hyphae have been demonstrated microscopically in the stools of a patient with gastrointestinal aspergillosis.

Oral health status and treatment needs in institutionalized psychiatric patients: one year descriptive cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Psychiatric patients are one of the special groups requiring attention as they are often neglected. Oral health is an major determinant of general health for psychiatric patients and may have a low priority in the context of mental illness. The present study was conducted to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of institutionalized psychiatric patients of Davangere. METHODS: 220 psychiatric patients admitted in two general hospitals of Davangere during the period of one year were included in the study. The oral health status was evaluated with respect to caries, oral hygiene, and periodontal status. RESULTS: Of the 180 examined with the response rate of 81.8%. 58.3% were males, mean age was 36.7 years, 57.8% had < 1 year of mental illness with a mean of 2.2 years, and 90% were self-sufficient. The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the mean DMFT (0.92) increased with age, duration of mental illness, and irregularity of oral hygiene habits (P<0.001). Mean OHI-S score was 3.3 and multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the mean OHI-S score increased with age (P<0.001). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the CPI score increased with age, duration of mental illness, and degree of helplessness (P<0.001). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrates low caries prevalence, poor oral hygiene, and extensive unmet needs for dental treatment.

Invasive aspergillosis in cancer.

Ten confirmed cases of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in cancer patients were analysed retrospectively. Eight were pulmonary, one was sinonasal and one was cutaneous. The majority of patients had haematological malignancies (7), the remaining three were cases of solid tumours. Fever was present in all 10 cases. Cough and lung signs were present in all eight cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Haemoptysis was encountered in three of nine cases of pulmonary and sinonasal aspergillosis. Mortality was low (2%). While corticosteroids, antibiotics and anticancer chemotherapy/radiotherapy were factors predisposing the patients to IA, neutropenia was perhaps responsible for their mortality. Seven of the patients had other associated pathogens isolated in culture in addition to Aspergillus spp. Aspergillus fumigatus was the predominant species, followed by A. flavus, A. glaucus, A. nidulans and A. niger. Direct microscopic examination (in six of seven cases) and culture (six of seven cases) correlated well with radiographic and clinical findings in cases with lung involvement. Serology for anti-Aspergillus antibodies performed by gel diffusion precipitin test was positive in one case of sinonasal aspergillosis, wherein only one precipitin band was observed. Correlation of clinical symptoms, consistent radiographic findings and microbiological work-up (the latter including a triad of direct microscopy, culture and serology) are required to arrive at a diagnosis of IA, especially where histology cannot form the mainstay of diagnosis.

Fusarium solani fungemia in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

A patient with ALL on anticancer chemotherapy developed fever which was later attributed to be due to Fusarium fungemia. The details of the case & a review of literature follows.

Association of tuberculosis with malignancy at KIMIO--an oncology centre.

The association of tuberculosis and malignancy was studied at an oncology centre in Bangalore. The study period was from January 1981 to December 1995. A total of 8779 clinical material obtained from patients were screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Out of which 675 were positive for acidfast bacilli, 385 from non malignant conditions and 290 from malignant conditions. Highest incidence is seen in Head and Neck cancer (42%) followed by Gastrointestinal cancer (14.1%), Lung cancer (13.8%), Haematological cancer (10.7%), Reproductive cancer (10.3%) and miscellaneous group (9%), Antibiogram of Mycobacterial cultures was done in 282 subjects. Resistance patterns to antitubercular drugs showed highest with Isonicotinic acid hydrochloride (INH) (17.7%), followed by para amino salicylic acid (PAS) (8.5%), Streptomycin (SM) (6.7%), Rifampicin (RIF) (4.6%) and Ethambutol (EM) (0.35%).

Fusarium solani infection in a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia--a case report.

Multiple necrotizing skin lesions due to Fusarium solani in an elderly man with acute myelogenous leukemia is described.