Clinical utility of oral management in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: microbiological evidence based on molecular analysis of oral bacteria.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the clinical utility of oral management to prevent bloodstream infections by oral bacteria microbiologically in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT). METHODS: Ten consecutive patients with hematological malignancies undergoing ASCT were enrolled in this study. We implemented dental treatments before transplantation, if required, and carried out oral hygiene instructions and oral management every other day after transplantation. Molecular analysis of bacterial DNA for seven oral species using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was performed for oral samples and peripheral blood once a week for 3 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS: Periodontitis was found in all 10 patients (mild grade in 3 and middle grade in 7) for whom basic periodontal therapy was conducted. Necessary dental procedures, including tooth extraction were performed in 5 patients. After transplantation, oral mucositis occurred in 10 patients (grade 1 in 3, grade 2 in 2, and grade 3 in 5) for whom oral hygiene instruction and oral care were continued every other day. PCR-identified three to six bacterial species in oral samples from nine patients, but none in peripheral blood from any patient during the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that oral management could prevent bloodstream infections by oral bacteria in ASCT recipients despite the existence of periodontitis or oral mucositis. Its utility was confirmed by microbiological evidence based on molecular data.

Predictive Value of Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Marker in Antiresorptive Agent-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: A Retrospective Analysis.

Antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ), a multifactorial disease, can drastically affect a patient's quality of life. Moreover, disease progression to severe acute inflammation can hinder treatment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the neutrophil−lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet−lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in predicting the risk of acute inflammation in patients with ARONJ. In total, 147 patients with ARONJ were enrolled between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2019. They were divided into two groups according to their baseline NLR (high NLR vs. low NLR) or PLR (high PLR vs. low PLR) to analyze the relationship between NLR and PLR and the outcomes of acute inflammatory events. An optimal NLR cut-off value of 2.83 was identified for hospitalization for an inflammatory event. Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR > 2.83 was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for an inflammatory event. A PLR cut-off value of 165.2 was identified for hospitalization for an inflammatory event. However, logistic regression analysis showed that PLR > 165.2 was not significantly associated with hospitalization for an inflammatory event. Our study findings suggest that the NLR has diagnostic value in predicting the risk of hospitalization for inflammatory events among patients with ARONJ.

Mandibular ameloblastoma in an elderly patient: a case report.

Ameloblastomas frequently occur in relatively young people, but are rarely seen in people aged 80 years or older. We report a case of mandibular ameloblastoma in an elderly patient with a review of the literature. The patient was a 82-year-old man who noticed swelling of the gingiva approximately 2 weeks prior to his initial visit. Computed tomography showed a radiolucent area with little radiopacity. Internal uniformity was observed at the site, with thinning of cortical bone which lacked continuity in some areas. The excision and curettage were performed under general anaesthesia. No recurrence has been observed 14 months after surgery.