Enrichment of human nasopharyngeal bacteriome with bacteria from dust after short-term exposure to indoor environment: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Indoor dust particles are an everyday source of human exposure to microorganisms and their inhalation may directly affect the microbiota of the respiratory tract. We aimed to characterize the changes in human nasopharyngeal bacteriome after short-term exposure to indoor (workplace) environments. METHODS: In this pilot study, nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from 22 participants in the morning and after 8 h of their presence at the workplace. At the same time points, indoor dust samples were collected from the participants' households (16 from flats and 6 from houses) and workplaces (8 from a maternity hospital - NEO, 6 from a pediatric hospital - ENT, and 8 from a research center - RCX). 16S rRNA sequencing analysis was performed on these human and environmental matrices. RESULTS: Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium were the most abundant genera in both indoor dust and nasopharyngeal samples. The analysis indicated lower bacterial diversity in indoor dust samples from flats compared to houses, NEO, ENT, and RCX (p < 0.05). Participants working in the NEO had the highest nasopharyngeal bacterial diversity of all groups (p < 0.05). After 8 h of exposure to the workplace environment, enrichment of the nasopharynx with several new bacterial genera present in the indoor dust was observed in 76% of study participants; however, no significant changes were observed at the level of the nasopharyngeal bacterial diversity (p > 0.05, Shannon index). These "enriching" bacterial genera overlapped between the hospital workplaces - NEO and ENT but differed from those in the research center - RCX. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that although the composition of nasopharyngeal bacteriome is relatively stable during the day. Short-term exposure to the indoor environment can result in the enrichment of the nasopharynx with bacterial DNA from indoor dust; the bacterial composition, however, varies by the indoor workplace environment.

Gene polymorphisms and serum levels of mannose-binding lectin in Czech patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is one of the most prevalent oral mucosal immunological diseases. A recent case-control study in the Egyptian population suggested that single nucleotide polymorphism Gly54Asp (rs1800450) of the mannose-binding lectin 2 gene might affect the mannose-binding lectin serum level and recurrent aphthous stomatitis development. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of six functional mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms and analyse their role in recurrent aphthous stomatitis susceptibility in the Czech population. METHODS: The study included 227 subjects; 137 healthy people and 90 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Six mannose-binding lectin 2 gene polymorphisms (rs11003125, rs7096206, rs7095891, rs5030737, rs1800450, rs1800451) were analysed by the SNaPshot assay method, mannose-binding lectin serum levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in a subgroup of subjects (N = 87). RESULTS: No significant differences in mean of mannose-binding lectin serum levels between healthy controls and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis were observed (383 ng/ml ± 249 standard deviation (SD) vs. 316 ng/ml ± 177 SD in remission phase vs. 343 ng/ml ± 254 SD in active phase; p > 0.05), also the allele and genotype frequencies of the studied mannose-binding lectin 2 polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05, odds ratio (OR): 0.75-1.23). Moreover, the distribution of mannose-binding lectin 2 haplotypes and haplogenotypes was similar in the healthy subjects and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (p > 0.05, OR: 0.75-1.23). CONCLUSIONS: This study did not confirm the previously reported association of the mannose-binding lectin 2 Gly54Asp gene variant and low mannose-binding lectin serum level as the risk factors for susceptibility to recurrent aphthous stomatitis. In addition, no significant relationships between mannose-binding lectin 2 functional haplotypes or haplogenotypes and recurrent aphthous stomatitis were observed.

Polymorphisms in genes expressed during amelogenesis and their association with dental caries: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Dental caries is a widespread multifactorial disease, caused by the demineralization of hard dental tissues. Susceptibility to dental caries is partially genetically conditioned; this study was aimed at finding an association of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes encoding proteins involved in amelogenesis with this disease in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 15 SNPs in ALOX15, AMBN, AMELX, KLK4, TFIP11, and TUFT1 genes were analyzed in 150 children with primary dentition and 611 children with permanent teeth with/without dental caries from the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) cohort. RESULTS: Dental caries in primary dentition was associated with SNPs in AMELX (rs17878486) and KLK4 (rs198968, rs2242670), and dental caries in permanent dentition with SNPs in AMELX (rs17878486) and KLK4 (rs2235091, rs2242670, rs2978642), (p ≤ 0.05). No significant differences between cases and controls were observed in the allele or genotype frequencies of any of the selected SNPs in ALOX15, AMBN, TFIP11, and TUFT1 genes (p > 0.05). Some KLK4 haplotypes were associated with dental caries in permanent dentition (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, we found that although the SNPs in AMELX and KLK4 are localized in intronic regions and their functional significance has not yet been determined, they are associated with susceptibility to dental caries in children. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: AMELX and KLK4 variants could be considered in the risk assessment of dental caries, especially in permanent dentition, in the European Caucasian population.

Association of the CD14 -260C/T polymorphism with plaque-induced gingivitis depends on the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

BACKGROUND: Plaque-induced gingivitis is the most prevalent periodontal disease associated with pathogenic biofilms. The host immune system responds to pathogens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their co-receptor cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14). AIM: This study investigated the association between the functional polymorphism in the CD14 gene and the dental plaque microbiota in children with gingivitis. DESIGN: A total of 590 unrelated children (307 with plaque-induced gingivitis and 283 controls, aged 13-15 years) were enrolled in this case-control study. Dental plaque was processed using a ParoCheck® 20 detection kit. The CD14 -260C/T (rs2569190) polymorphism was determined with the PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: Gingivitis was detected in 64.2% of boys and 35.8% of girls (P < .001). Children with gingivitis had a significantly higher occurrence of dental caries (P < .001). No significant differences in the CD14 -260C/T allele and genotype distribution among individuals with or without gingivitis in the whole cohort were found. Children with gingivitis and P gingivalis, however, were significantly more frequent carriers of the CT and TT genotypes than children with gingivitis without P gingivalis or healthy controls (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The CD14 -260C/T polymorphism acts in cooperation with P gingivalis to trigger plaque-induced gingivitis in Czech children.

Association of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms with recurrent aphthous stomatitis in the Czech population: case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is multifactorial disease with unclear etiopathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine distribution of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms and their influence on RAS susceptibility in Czech population. METHODS: The study included 230 subjects (143 healthy controls and 87 patients with RAS) with anamnestic, clinical and laboratory data. Five ACE gene polymorphisms (rs4291/rs4305/rs4311/rs4331/rs1799752 = ACE I/D) were determined by TaqMan technique. RESULTS: The allele and genotype distributions of the studied ACE I/D polymorphisms were not significantly different between subjects with/without RAS (Pcorr > 0.05). However, carriers of II genotype were less frequent in the RAS group (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.21-1.12, P = 0.059). Stratified analysis by sex demonstrated lower frequency of II genotype in women (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.09-1.17, P < 0.035, Pcorr > 0.05, respectively) than in men with RAS (P > 0.05). Moreover, the frequency of AGTGD haplotype was significantly increased in RAS patients (OR = 13.74, 95% CI = 1.70-110.79, P = 0.0012, Pcorr < 0.05). In subanalysis, TGD haplotype was significantly more frequent in RAS patients (P < 0.00001) and CGI haplotype was less frequent in RAS patients (P < 0.01), especially in women (P = 0.016, Pcorr > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that while the AGTGD and TGD haplotypes are associated with increased risk of RAS development, CGI haplotype might be one of protective factors against RAS susceptibility in Czech population.

Effect of fixed orthodontic appliances on gingival status and oral microbiota: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This pilot study aimed to investigate how fixed orthodontic appliances simultaneously applied on the upper and lower arches affect the oral environment in the medium term. METHODS: The oral status of 30 orthodontic patients was evaluated using the number of decay-missing-filled teeth (DMFT), plaque (PI), and gingival indices (GI) before bonding of fixed orthodontic appliances (T0) and during the therapy (T1). Besides, the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and a dental plaque were collected. Samples were analyzed for selected Candida sp. and for 10 selected oral bacteria using mass spectroscopy and multiplex polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: In 60% of patients, deterioration of the oral status (demonstrated by the increase in PI) was recorded (p < 0.05). Moreover, the changes in PI correlated with those of GI (p < 0.001). At the T1 time point, the mean representation of Actinomyces sp. in the total prokaryotic DNA in GCF and dental plaque of individual patients increased compared to T0 (p < 0.05). The probability of finding any of the 7 selected periodontal bacteria combined with Candida sp. was 10 times higher in patients in whom PI deteriorated between T0 and T1 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the oral microbial diversity and an increase in PI were observed in the medium term after bonding of orthodontic appliance. Our study highlights the importance of a complex approach in this type of research as the association between clinical characteristics and combined microbial parameters is higher than when evaluated separately.

Gene variability in matrix metalloproteinases in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: The development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), inflammatory disease of oral mucosa, is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate polymorphisms located in seven genes coding different types of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-collagenases (MMP1, MMP8, and MMP13), gelatinases (MMP2 and MMP9), stromelysin (MMP3), and membrane-type metalloproteinase (MMP16) in patients with RAS and healthy controls. METHODS: Totally, 223 subjects were included in this case-control study and their detailed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were recorded. Seventy-seven patients with RAS and 146 controls were genotyped for seventeen polymorphisms in the MMPs genes using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or PCR with restriction analysis. RESULTS: Allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies of the studied polymorphisms between RAS patients and controls were similar, except for allele distributions of MMP1 rs1144393, MMP9 rs3918242, and MMP16 rs10429371, which were different between patients with RAS and healthy controls (P = .023, P = .049 and P = .025, all Pcorr  > 0.05, respectively). Moreover, the comparison of genotype frequencies (TT vs CC + CT) of the MMP16 rs10429371 variant showed a marginally significant difference between RAS patients and controls (P = .05, Pcorr  > 0.05, OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 0.95-2.98). CONCLUSIONS: No significant relationship between investigated polymorphisms in seven MMPs genes and RAS development in the Czech population was observed in this study.

Interleukin Gene Variability and Periodontal Bacteria in Patients with Generalized Aggressive Form of Periodontitis.

Host genetic predispositions to dysregulated immune response can influence the development of the aggressive form of periodontitis (AgP) through susceptibility to oral dysbiosis and subsequent host-microbe interaction. This case-control study aimed to perform a multilocus analysis of functional variants in selected interleukin (IL) genes in patients with the generalized form of AgP in a homogenous population. Twelve polymorphisms in IL-1 gene cluster, IL-6 and its receptor, IL-10, IL-17A, and IL-18 were determined in 91 AgP patients and 210 controls. Analysis of seven selected periodontal bacteria in subgingival sulci/pockets was performed with a commercial DNA-microarray kit in a subgroup of 76 individuals. The pilot in vitro study included stimulation of peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) from 20 individuals with periodontal bacteria and measurement of IL-10 levels using the Luminex method. Only the unctional polymorphism IL­10-1087 A/G (rs1800896) and specific IL-10 haplotypes were associated with the development of the disease (P < 0.05, Pcorr > 0.05). Four bacterial species occurred more frequently in AgP than in controls (P < 0.01, Pcorr < 0.05). Elevated IL-10 levels were found in AgP patients, carriers of IL­10-1087GG genotype, and PBMCs stimulated by periodontal bacteria (P < 0.05, Pcorr > 0.05). We therefore conclude that a combination of genetic predisposition to the altered expression of IL-10 and the presence of specific periodontal bacteria may contribute to Th1/Th2 balance disruption and AgP development.

Matrix metalloproteinases gene variants and dental caries in Czech children.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in tooth formation and the mineralization of dental tissue. The aim of the study was to analyse Czech children with primary/permanent dentition polymorphisms in those genes encoding MMP2, MMP3, MMP9, MMP13, MMP16, and MMP20, which had been previously associated with dental caries in other populations. METHODS: In total, 782 Czech children were included in this case-control study. DNA samples were taken from 474 subjects with dental caries (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, DMFT ≥ 1) and 155 caries free children (DMFT = 0) aged 13-15 years, as well as 101 preschool children with early childhood caries (ECC, dmft ≥ 1) and 52 caries free children (dmft = 0), were analyzed for nine MMPs single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using real time polymerase chain reaction TaqMan assays. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the allele and/or genotype frequencies of all the studied MMPs SNPs among children with dental caries in primary/permanent dentition and the healthy controls (P > 0.05). In addition, similar allele or genotype frequencies of the studied MMPs SNPs were found in children with severe dental caries in their permanent teeth (children with DMFT ≥ 6) and the healthy controls (DMFT = 0, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the lack of association between the selected SNPs in candidate genes of MMPs and the susceptibility to or severity of dental caries in both primary and permanent dentitions in Czech children.

Chemokine Receptor 2 (CXCR2) Gene Variants and Their Association with Periodontal Bacteria in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis.

Periodontitis, an inflammatory disease caused by subgingival Gram-negative (G-) bacteria, is linked with loss of the connective tissue and destruction of the alveolar bone. In the regulation of inflammatory response, chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2), a specific receptor for interleukin-8 and neutrophil chemoattractant, plays an important role. The first aim of this study was to investigate the CXCR2 gene variability in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and healthy nonperiodontitis controls in the Czech population. The second aim was to find a relation between CXCR2 gene variants and the presence of periodontal bacteria. A total of 500 unrelated subjects participated in this case-control study. 329 CP patients and 171 healthy nonperiodontitis controls were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction techniques for three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): +785C/T (rs2230054), +1208T/C (rs1126579), and +1440A/G (rs1126580). A DNA microarray detection kit was used for the investigation of the subgingival bacterial colonization, in a subgroup of CP subjects (N = 162). No significant differences in allele, genotype, haplotype, or haplogenotype frequencies of CXCR2 gene variants between patients with CP and healthy controls (P > 0.05) were determined. Nevertheless, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was detected more frequently in men positive for the C allele of the CXCR2 +785C/T polymorphism (61.8% vs. 41.1%, P < 0.05; OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.03-5.20) and for the T allele of the CXCR2 +1208C/T variant (61.8% vs. 38.9%, P < 0.05; OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.13-5.71). In contrast, no statistically significant associations of CXCR2 variants with seven selected periodontal bacteria were found in women. Although none of the investigated SNPs in the CXCR2 gene was associated with CP, the CXCR2 gene variants can be associated with subgingival colonization of G- bacteria in men with CP in the Czech population.

Emotional stimuli candidates for behavioural intervention in the prevention of early childhood caries: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Oral diseases, such as early childhood caries (ECC), have a complex etiology with common, behaviour-related risk factors. Appropriately targeted behavioural intervention using effective tools can help to eliminate risk behaviour leading to ECC. The aim of this study was to ascertain which visual stimuli with a supporting text evoke the strongest emotional response in infants' mothers and, therefore, are suitable candidates for inclusion in behavioural interventions within the prevention of ECC. METHODS: Thirty-nine mothers of one-year-old children who filled out an originally designed electronic questionnaire, containing 20 visual stimuli with accompanying texts related to dental caries (10/10 with positive/negative intended emotional response), were included in this cross-sectional study. The emotional impact of each stimulus in the mothers was evaluated using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) technique, which represents three emotional dimensions: valence, arousal, and dominance. RESULTS: Each of the stimuli was assessed by the mothers of infants based on its emotional impact. The real emotional response (evaluated according to the median of valence) was in line with the primarily intended response in 90% of cases (p < 0.05). The text with a warning evoked a greater emotional response (evaluated according to the median of arousal) in mothers than only the informative instruction (p < 0.05). The relationship between arousal and valence (r = - 0.99; p < 0.05) indicates that the more aversive stimuli raise higher arousal. The significant correlation between valence and dominance shows that the more positive the stimuli, the higher feeling of control over the evoked emotion the mothers have (r = 0.83; p < 0.05), and, on the contrary, the lowest control over emotion is correlated with higher arousal (r = - 0.85; p < 0.05). Generally, mothers rated themselves as in high control of their emotions over the individual stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study proved that negative pictorial and text warnings about the risks of developing caries had the potential to evoke strong emotional responses in the mothers of infants. We identified three visual stimuli that could be included in future extensive motivation material in an attempt to affect the preventive behaviour of mothers, and thus the oral health of their infants.

Association of the NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) gene variability with recurrent aphthous stomatitis in the Czech population.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a multifactorial disease with unclear etiopathogenesis in which disturbance of immunological processes may be involved. The aim of our study was to investigate three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3806265, rs4612666, rs10754558 in NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3), the gene encoding the component of inflammasome, in patients with RAS and healthy controls in the Czech population. METHODS: A total of 207 subjects were included in this case-control study. Sixty-four patients with RAS and 143 healthy controls were genotyped by a method based on polymerase chain reaction using 5' nuclease TaqMan® assays. Detailed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained from all subjects. RESULTS: The allele and genotype frequencies of NLRP3 polymorphisms (rs10754558 and rs3806265) between both groups were similar. However, statistically significant differences in NLRP3 rs4612666 genotypes between the patients with RAS and controls were found; carriers of the TT genotype had a higher risk of developing RAS than subjects with the CT+CC genotypes (OR = 14.69, 95%CI = 1.73-124.72, P = .004, Pcorr < .05). No associations between NLRP3 haplotypes and RAS were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the NLRP3 rs4612666 polymorphism may be involved in the development of RAS in the Czech population.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and gene variability in selected interleukins: a case-control study.

Genetic factors, especially those related to immune system functioning, have been intensively studied to determine their role in the development of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). The aim of the present study was to analyze gene variability in interleukin (IL)2, IL4 (and its receptor α, IL4Rα), IL10, and IL13, which were selected based on literature review and/or their functional relevance, in Czech patients with RAS and in healthy controls. In total, 252 subjects (178 controls and 74 patients with RAS) were enrolled in this case-control study, and their detailed anamnestic, clinical, and laboratory data were obtained. Nine polymorphisms in the genes encoding interleukins were determined using PCR techniques. There were no significant differences in allele or genotype frequencies of the IL2, IL4, IL4Rα, IL10, and IL13 polymorphisms rs2069762/rs2069763, rs2243250/rs79071878, rs1801275, rs1800896, and rs1800925, respectively, between controls and patients with RAS. The minority alleles rs1800871 and rs1800872, which encode variants of IL10, were associated with a statistically significantly higher risk of RAS, as confirmed by the results of genotype and haplotype analyses. We suggest that variability in the IL10 gene may play an important role in the development of RAS in the Czech population.

Lack of association between ENAM gene polymorphism and dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in Czech children.

OBJECTIVES: The enamelin gene (ENAM) polymorphism (rs12640848) was recently associated with dental caries in primary teeth in Polish children. The aims of the present study were to prove this association in primary dentition and to find a possible effect of this variant on caries development in permanent dentition in Czech children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised 905 Czech children. Totally, 187 children aged 2-6 years with primary dentition [78 healthy subjects (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, dmft = 0) and 109 patients with early childhood caries (ECC; dmft ≥ 1)] were included in this case-control study. In addition, 177 subjects aged 13-15 years without caries (DMFT = 0) and 541 children with dental caries (DMFT ≥ 1) in permanent dentition were selected from the ELSPAC study. Genotype determination of the ENAM polymorphism (rs12640848) was based on the TaqMan method. RESULTS: No significant differences in the allele or genotype frequencies between the caries-free children and those affected by dental caries were observed in both primary and permanent dentitions. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of association between the ENAM polymorphism (rs12640848) and dental caries in Czech children was detected. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although ENAM is considered as a candidate gene for dental caries, the presence of the ENAM variant (rs12640848) cannot be used as a risk factor of this multifactorial disease in the Czech population.

Differences in Interleukin-8 Plasma Levels between Diabetic Patients and Healthy Individuals Independently on Their Periodontal Status.

Chronic periodontitis (CP) and diabetes mellitus (DM) involve several aspects of immune functions, including neutrophil activity and cytokine biology. Considering the critical function of chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the inflammatory process, the aims of this study were to determine: (i) IL-8 plasma levels; (ii) IL-8 (-251A/T, rs4073) and its receptor 2 (CXCR2, +1208C/T, rs1126579) polymorphisms, and (iii) the presence of the selected periodontal bacteria in types 1 and 2 DM patients (T1DM and T2DM) and systemically healthy controls (HC) with known periodontal status. This case⁻control study comprises of 153 unrelated individuals: 36/44 patients suffering from T1DM+CP/T2DM+CP and 32/41 from HC+CP/non-periodontitis HC. Both the clinical and biochemical parameters were monitored. The genotypes were determined using qPCR, IL-8 plasma levels were measured using an ELISA kit. Subgingival bacterial colonization was analyzed with a DNA microarray detection kit. The IL-8 plasma levels differed significantly between non-periodontitis HC and T1DM+CP/T2DM+CP patients (P < 0.01). Even in HC+CP, IL-8 concentrations were significantly lower than in T1DM+CP/T2DM+CP patients (P ≤ 0.05). No significant associations between the IL-8 plasma levels and the studied IL-8 and CXCR2 polymorphisms or the occurrence of selected periodontal bacteria (P > 0.05) were found. CP does not influence the circulating IL-8 levels. Patients with T1DM+CP/T2DM+CP had higher circulating IL-8 levels than HC+CP/non-periodontitis HC.

Association study of interleukin-1 family, interleukin-6, and its receptor gene polymorphisms in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common oral chronic ulcerative disease in which proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are thought to play an important role. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between polymorphisms in the IL-1 cytokine family, IL-6 or its receptor and RAS in the Czech population. METHODS: A total of 248 subjects, 184 healthy controls, and 64 patients with RAS were genotyped for IL-1A-889C>T, IL-1B-511C>T, IL-1B+3953C>T, IL-1RN86 bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs) in intron 2, IL-6-597G>A, IL-6-572G>C, IL-6-174G>C, and IL-6R+48992A>C by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. RESULTS: No significant differences between investigated polymorphisms in healthy subjects and patients with RAS were detected (P>.05). In addition, complex analysis also revealed similar IL-1 or IL-6 haplotype frequencies between both groups (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, IL-1 and IL-6 or its receptor gene variants cannot be used as markers for identification of Czech patients with increased risk of recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Lack of Association between BMP2/DLX3 Gene Polymorphisms and Dental Caries in Primary and Permanent Dentitions.

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between BMP2 (rs1884302) and DLX3 (rs2278163) gene polymorphisms and dental caries in primary and permanent dentitions. A total of 914 subjects were genotyped by the TaqMan methods: 176 caries-free children (with Decayed/Missing/Filled Teeth, DMFT = 0), 542 patients with dental caries in permanent dentition (DMFT ≥1), 83 caries-free children with primary teeth (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, dmft = 0), and 113 children with early childhood caries (ECC, dmft ≥1). There were no significant differences in allele/genotype frequencies between patients with caries in permanent dentition/ECC and caries-free children or between patients with very low (DMFT = 0-2), low (DMFT = 3-5), moderate (DMFT = 6-8), or high (DMFT ≥9) caries experience. Variability in BMP2 and DLX3 was not associated with caries in the Czech population.

Vitamin D Receptor TaqI Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries in Czech Children.

AIM: We analyzed the VDR TaqI (rs731236) gene polymorphism in children with and those without dental caries. METHODS: A total of 388 subjects, 153 caries-free (with decayed/missing/filled teeth [DMFT] = 0) and 235 children with dental caries (DMFT ≥1), were genotyped by the TaqMan method. RESULTS: Although no significant differences in VDR TaqI allele and genotype frequencies between caries-free and caries-affected children were detected, a significant association between this polymorphism and gingivitis was found (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous studies from China and Turkey, the VDR TaqI gene variant cannot be used as a marker for identification of Czech children with increased dental caries risk.

[Drugs and dosage forms as risk factors for dental caries]. / Léciva a lékové formy jako rizikové faktory pro zubní kaz.

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease which, despite a series of preventive measures, remains the most common infectious disease worldwide. Susceptibility or resistance to caries may be a result of the presence of risk or protective factors, genetic predisposition, inappropriate lifestyle associated with education, behavioural and socioeconomic factors. The aim of this review is to highlight the risks associated with the use of some drugs and dosage forms in relation to the formation and development of dental caries. Drugs are classified by the mechanism of their action in this process, into those that 1. influence the tooth development, especially enamel, 2. directly or indirectly damage the tooth structure and/or 3. disrupt the protective function of saliva, causing oral microflora dysbiosis. The review article assesses the current possibilities in the treatment and prevention of dental caries using drugs, dietary supplements and supporting measures. The conclusion of the study deals with recommendations for prevention of adverse effects of drug therapy in the oral cavity, through preventive measures and/or by considering the duration of the treatment to achieve an optimal balance between benefits and risks. Since the topic of the study is of an interdisciplinary character, information on prevention within the oral health improvement in the population can be used not only by pharmacists, who should primarily warn patients about the risks associated with pharmacotherapy, but also dentists, paediatricians/general practitioners and the public.Key words: dental caries prevention drug dosage form adverse effect.

ACE Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism Associated with Caries in Permanent but Not Primary Dentition in Czech Children.

OBJECTIVE: Dental caries is a multifactorial, infectious disease where genetic predisposition plays an important role. Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has very recently been associated with caries in Polish children. The aim of this study was to analyze ACE I/D polymorphism in a group of caries-free children versus subjects affected by dental caries in the Czech population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 182 caries-free children (with decayed/missing/filled teeth, DMFT = 0), 561 subjects with dental caries (DMFT ≥1) aged 13-15 years and 220 children aged 2-6 years with early childhood caries (ECC, dmft ≥1) were included. Genotype determination of ACE I/D polymorphism in intron 16 was based on the TaqMan method. RESULTS: Although no significant differences in the allele or genotype frequencies between the caries-free children and those affected by dental caries were observed, statistically significant differences between the children with DMFT = 0 and the subgroup of 179 patients with high caries experience (DMFT ≥4; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) were detected. The comparison of DD versus II+ID genotype frequencies between the patients with DMFT ≥1 or DMFT ≥4 and healthy children also showed significant differences (31.5% or 35.6% vs. 23.6%, p < 0.05 or p < 0.01, respectively). A gender-based analysis identified a significant difference in the DD versus II+ID genotype frequencies only in girls (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant association of ACE I/D polymorphism with ECC in young children was found (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ACE I/D polymorphism may be associated with caries in permanent but not primary dentition, especially in girls in the Czech population.