Assessment of Candida species colonization and denture-related stomatitis in bar- and locator-retained overdentures.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of denture-related stomatitis (DRS) in different attachment-retained overdenture wearers and its association with particular colonizing Candida species. Thirty-seven edentulous patients with implant-supported maxillary or mandibular overdentures were enrolled. A full clinical history was obtained, including details of patients' oral hygiene practices and the levels of erythema based on Newton's classification scale. Swabs were taken from the palate and investigated mycologically to identify the yeast colonies. Quantitative and qualitative microbiological assessments were performed, which included recording the total numbers of colonies (cfu), their color, and their morphological characteristics. Significant differences were found in cfu values between the attachment and inner surfaces of locator- and bar-retained overdentures (P < .05). Candida albicans was the most common species in both evaluations, being isolated from 81.3% of bar-retained overdentures and 38.1% of locator-retained overdentures. DRS developed in all patients using bar-retained overdentures but in only 71.4% of those using locator-retained overdentures. No statistically significant relationship was found between bar and locator attachments according to smoking habit, overnight removal, or plaque and gingival indices (P > .05).

Usefulness of (1→3)ß-D glucan in early diagnosing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia: a case report.

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumoniae (PJP) may be difficult to diagnose. Since pneumocystis cannot be cultured, the diagnosis of PJP requires microscopic examination to identify pneumocystis from induced sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. In order to evaluate the usefulness of (1→3) beta-D-glucan (BDG) levels in the early diagnosis of PJP, we describe the case of PJP in a 25-year-old male with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) admitted to hospital with progressive dyspnea and fever with chills. The patient was not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Sputum, blood, and urine cultures were negative; smears for acid-fast bacilli and tests for viral antibodies were both negative. The microbiology study of the BAL with Giemsa and immunofluorescence staining, seven days after admission showed the existence of P. jiroveci in the lungs. Further, one day and five days after admission, (1→3) beta-D-glucan (BDG) levels were very high. The high serum level of BDG considerably decreased after treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) and the clinical condition of the patient increasingly improved.