A Descriptive Study of Chlorhexidine as a Disinfectant in Cleft Palate Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Chlorhexidine is seen as the golden standard of disinfectants. It is widely used to clean surgical sites; however, many studies indicate resistance of pathogens to chlorhexidine. One study indicated that pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from the soft palate cleft region in 57% of patients with facial clefts. The objectives of our study were to determine (1) if chlorhexidine application is effective in removing pathogens from the surgical site in these patients, and (2) if any pathogens are isolated, determine if they are resistant to other antimicrobials. DESIGN: A descriptive observational study. SETTINGS: A private practice that specializes in facial cleft surgery, with a country-wide patient base. All procedures were executed by one oral and maxillofacial surgeon. PARTICIPANTS: All patients (N=50) who presented for primary repair of the soft palate cleft were included in the study. INCLUSION CRITERIA: written consent from parent(s), and patient cleared as systemically healthy by a pediatric physician. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: patient(s) with systemic infections (eg, flu) and/or any local infections (eg, tonsillitis). There were 25 males and 25 females with an average age of 7 months and 16 days included in the study. METHODS: Swabs were taken from the surgical site of all 50 patients with cleft soft palate and were sent for culture, identification and antimicrobial sensitivity. The swabs were taken before disinfecting the site as well as after 2 minutes of disinfecting the surgical site with chlorhexidine. Results were compared against each other. RESULTS: Positive cultures with 28 different pathogenic microorganisms that were identified in 47 patients before cleaning the surgical site with the chlorhexidine. The most dominant pathogens were K. pneumonia (n=22), H. influenza (n=18) and S. aureus (n=10). Of the pathogens found, 13 (46%) were still present on the swabs taken after disinfecting with chlorhexidine. K. pneumonia (n= 13), H. influenza (n=11) and S. aureus (n=9) were still the most prevalent pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that 61 of the total of 113 pathogens isolated (54%), survived after 2 minutes of disinfecting the surgical and surrounding area with chlorhexidine, thus intensifying the chances of post-operative infection.

Attachment of Actinobacillus suis H91-0380 and Its Isogenic Adhesin Mutants to Extracellular Matrix Components of the Tonsils of the Soft Palate of Swine.

Tonsils conduct immune surveillance of antigens entering the upper respiratory tract. Despite their immunological function, they are also sites of persistence and invasion of bacterial pathogens. Actinobacillus suis is a common resident of the tonsils of the soft palate in pigs, but under certain circumstances it can invade, causing septicemia and related sequelae. Twenty-four putative adhesins are predicted in the A. suis genome, but to date, little is known about how they might participate in colonization or invasion. To better understand these processes, swine tonsil lysates were characterized by mass spectrometry. Fifty-nine extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were identified, including small leucine-rich proteoglycans, integrins, and other cell surface receptors. Additionally, attachment of the wild type and 3 adhesin mutants to 5 ECM components was evaluated. Exponential cultures of wild-type A. suis adhered significantly more than stationary cultures to all ECM components studied except collagen I. During exponential growth, the A. suis Δflp1 mutant attached less to collagen IV while the ΔompA mutant attached less to all ECMs. The ΔcomE1 strain attached less to collagen IV, fibronectin, and vitronectin during exponential growth and exhibited differential attachment to collagen I over short adherence time points. These results suggest that Flp1, OmpA, and ComE1 are important during early stages of attachment to ECM components found in tonsils, which supports the notion that other adhesins have compensatory effects during later stages of attachment.

Oral lesions in leprosy revisited: a case report.

There is a scarcity of the histopathologically proven lesions of leprosy in the oral cavity, in the world literature. A 55-year-old man had come with a complaint of asymptomatic nodular lesions in the oral cavity. Cutaneous lesions and peripheral nerve examination were suggestive of lepromatous leprosy. Histopathologic examination of a nodule on the palate demonstrated diffuse macrophagic granulomas and acid-fast bacilli.

Preoperative evaluation of micro-organisms in non-operated cleft in soft palate: impact on use of antibiotics.

To identify the pathogenic micro-organisms that had colonised preoperatively in clefts in the soft palate and oro-nasopharynx, we retrospectively studied the preoperative microbiological profiles of 200 infants who had had primary repair of all types of cleft in the soft palate. Data from a private practice that specialises in the repair of facial clefts were extracted randomly from patients' files. We analysed the results of the culture of preoperative swabs taken from clefts in the soft palate and oro-nasopharynx, and the resistance profile of organisms towards various antibiotics. A total of 23 different pathogenic micro-organisms were isolated from 115 (57%) of the sample. Klebsiella pneumoniae most commonly colonised clefts in the lip, alveolus, and palate. This was considerably higher than in other groups. The second most common micro-organism was Staphylococcus aureus, which was found most often in patients with isolated clefts in the hard palate. Those with complete cleft lip and palate presented with more pathogenic micro-organisms in preoperative cultures than those with other types of cleft. We need to find a way to control pathogenic micro-organisms in the oral and oro-nasopharyngeal region preoperatively to limit postoperative complications.

Oral manifestation of histoplasmosis on the palate.

This case report describes an uncommon manifestation of histoplasmosis on the soft palate. The importance of appropriate treatment and follow-up in complex cases is emphasized, especially in patients with chronic diseases. Oral lesions may occur as multiple, granular and painful ulcers, as well as verrucous growths. Lesions may also be deep, with infiltrative edges and erythematous or with white areas, accompanied by local lymphadenopathy, resembling a carcinoma on clinical examination. In this sense, a fast and accurate diagnosis is essential to the success of treatment of oral histoplasmosis.

A Comparative Study of Oral Microbiota in Infants with Complete Cleft Lip and Palate or Cleft Soft Palate.

Few reports have been published on the early microbiota in infants with various types of cleft palate. We assessed the formation of the oral microbiota in infants with complete cleft lip and palate (CLP n = 30) or cleft soft palate (CSP n = 25) in the neonatal period (T1 time) and again in the gum pad stage (T2 time). Culture swabs from the tongue, palate, and/or cleft margin at T1 and T2 were taken. We analysed the prevalence of the given bacterial species (the percentage) and the proportions in which the palate and tongue were colonised by each microorganism. At T1, Streptococcus mitis (S. mitis) were the most frequently detected in subjects with CLP or CSP (63% and 60%, resp.). A significantly higher frequency of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus MSSA) was observed in CLP compared to the CSP group. At T2, significantly higher percentages of S. mitis, S. aureus MSSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and members of the Enterobacteriaceae family were noted in CLP infants compared to the CSP. S. mitis and Streptococcus sanguinis appeared with the greatest frequency on the tongue, whereas Streptococcus salivarius was predominant on the palate. The development of the microbiota in CLP subjects was characterised by a significant increase in the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria.

Unusual Otolaryngologic Manifestations of Paracoccidioidomycosis: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

AbstractParacoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. It occurs more frequently in its chronic form, which particularly affects male adults from rural areas. These patients present with pulmonary involvement and systemic symptoms. Skin and mucosal lesions are rather typical and might suggest the diagnosis. The involvement of the upper airway mucosa is common and the patients usually complain of dysphagia and dysphonia. Nonetheless, in endemic areas, physicians should maintain a high level of suspicion even when faced with some atypical symptoms. We present the case of an adult diagnosed with nasopharyngeal paracoccidioidomycosis after presenting with an unusual otolaryngologic syndrome including unilateral soft palate paralysis with velopharyngeal insufficiency and hearing loss secondary to middle ear effusion.

[Endocytosymbiosis of microorganisms in mammal eukaryotic cells and factors of its regulation].

Morphofunctional equivalents of the process of long-term intracellular prokaryotes--eukaryotes interaction were studied by light and electron microscopy. The mechanisms for adaptation, elaborated in the course of evolution of bacteria-host interaction, were analysed on the ultrastructural level. A concept on the role of hypothalamic nonapeptides, as factors of regulation of intracellular persistence and symbiosis of prokaryotes, is discussed.

[Sinonasal mucormycosis revealed by a necrotic velar ulceration]. / Mucormycose rhinosinusienne révélée par une ulcération nécrotique vélopalatine.

INTRODUCTION: Mucormycosis is a deep mycosis which has been spreading out in recent years. It is still poorly understood and poorly described in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors report a case of sinonasal localization, of fatal evolution and late diagnosis in a young child. OBSERVATION: It is about a 13-year-old child suffering from chronic rhinosinus syndrome for two years. He was observed in stomatology for a necrotic velar ulceration that have occurred for three months. The clinical, radiological and histological explorations were in favor of a sinonasal mucormycosis. The administration of amphotericin B and the surgical treatment did not slow down the fatal evolution. CONCLUSION: Mucormycosis should not be dealt with any diagnostic error and no therapeutic improvisation. It has to be thought about when dealing with a rhinosinusal syndrome with cleft ulceration.

A Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Case with Newly Defined UNC13D (c.175G>C; p.Ala59Pro) Mutation and a Rare Complication.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) represents a severe hyperinflammatory condition with cardinal symptoms of prolonged fever, cytopenias, hepatosplenomegaly, and hemophagocytosis by activated, morphologically benign macrophages with impaired function of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. A 2-month-old girl, who was admitted with fever, was diagnosed with HLH and her genetic examination revealed a newly defined mutation in the UNC13D (c.175G>C; p.Ala59Pro) gene. She was treated with dexamethasone, etoposide, and intrathecal methotrexate. During the second week of treatment, after three doses of etoposide, it was noticed that there was a necrotic plaque lesion on the soft palate. Pathologic examination of debrided material in PAS and Grocott staining revealed lots of septated hyphae, which was consistent with aspergillosis infection. Etoposide was stopped and amphotericin B treatment was given for six weeks. HLH 2004 protocol was completed to eight weeks with cyclosporine A orally. There was no patient with invasive aspergillosis infection as severe as causing palate and nasal septum perforation during HLH therapy. In immunocompromised patients, fungal infections may cause nasal septum perforation and treatment could be achieved by antifungal therapy and debridement of necrotic tissue.

Detection of Corynebacterium kutscheri from the oral cavity of rats.

A simple and useful method for the detection of C. kutscheri from the oral cavity of living rats was devised. In 10 sacrificed rats from two naturally and subclinically infected conventional colonies, 10(4.28) or 10(3.84) CFU/ml C. kutscheri were isolated from upper incisor swab extractions, while 10(1.38) or 10(1.58) and < 10 or 10(1.56) CFU/ml from the upper soft palate and pharynx, respectively. In another survey with 26 living animals, which were reared on the same rack, organisms were detected from the upper incisor and gingival swabs in 15 of 26 rats (57.7%). The results were reproducible at a second survey 10 days later. No organisms were isolated from any sites of the orally negative rats. These results indicated that culture of swab specimens from the upper incisors and gingivae of incisors is useful for the detection of C. kutscheri infection in living rats.

Bacterial adherence to epithelial cells in the nasopharynx in children.

The presence of attached bacteria to epithelial cells from the nasopharyngeal surface of the soft palate, from the adenoid surface and from the secretions covering the adenoid was studied in 10 children undergoing adenoidectomy. Large numbers of bacteria were seen to attach to mature normal squamous epithelial cells from the soft palate and in the secretions, whereas attachment to adenoid epithelial cells was rare. Using differential interference contrast microscopy, bacteria-carrying epithelial cells were seen to have their surface covered by microridges characteristic of normal mature squamous epithelial cells. Sections of adenoid tissue showed bacterial infiltration of adenoid tissue to be virtually nonexistent in the patient group.

Effects of intranasal inoculation with Bordetella bronchiseptica, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, or a combination of both organisms on subsequent infection with Pasteurella multocida in pigs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of intranasal inoculation with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) or Bordetella bronchiseptica on challenge with nontoxigenic Pasteurella multocida in pigs. ANIMALS: Seventy 3-week-old pigs. PROCEDURE: In experiment 1, pigs were not inoculated (n= 10) or were inoculated with PRRSV (10), P. multocida (10), or PRRSV followed by challenge with P. multocida (10). In experiment 2, pigs were not inoculated (n = 10) or were inoculated with B. bronchiseptica (10) or PRRSV and B. bronchiseptica (10); all pigs were challenged with P. multocida. Five pigs from each group were necropsied 14 and 21 days after initial inoculations. RESULTS: Pasteurella multocida was not isolated from tissue specimens of pigs challenged with P. multocida alone or after inoculation with PRRSV. However, in pigs challenged after inoculation with B. bronchiseptica, P. multocida was isolated from specimens of the nasal cavity and tonsil of the soft palate. Number of bacteria isolated increased in pigs challenged after coinoculation with PRRSV and B. bronchiseptica, and all 3 agents were isolated from pneumonic lesions in these pigs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Infection of pigs with B. bronchiseptica but not PRRSV prior to challenge with P. multocida resulted in colonization of the upper respiratory tract and tonsil of the soft palate with P. multocida. Coinfection with PRRSV and B. bronchiseptica predisposed pigs to infection of the upper respiratory tract and lung with P. multocida. Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and B. bronchiseptica may interact to adversely affect respiratory tract defense mechanisms, leaving pigs especially vulnerable to infection with secondary agents such as P. multocida.

Pseudomembranous candidosis in nephrotic syndrome: a case report.

A 33-year-old male presented for evaluation of several large, recently discovered white oral lesions of unknown duration. Clinical examination revealed multiple white plaques on the soft palate, uvula, buccal mucosa, and tongue. These lesions could be wiped away, leaving an erythematous base. The lesions were asymptomatic, and the patient did not report difficulty in swallowing. The patient's medical history was noteworthy for several significant diagnoses within the previous 6 months: type 2 diabetes mellitus, mild systolic hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, determined by kidney biopsy to be caused by focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. A provisional diagnosis of pseudomembraneous candidosis was made, and the patient responded to a 14-day course of clotrimazole, administered in 10-mg troches, five times a day. Management of nephrotic syndrome predisposes patients to recurrent fungal infections, and the disease has implications for the selection of systemic antifungal agents.

[Effect of carnosine on the morphofunctional state of mucosal cells of the soft palate of rats in staphylococcal infection]. / Vliianie karnozina na morfofunktsional'noe sostoianie kletok slizistoi obolochki miagkogo neba krys pri stafilokokkovoi infektsii.

The influence of carnosine on the morphofunctional state of mucosal cells of the soft palate of rats in experimental staphylococcal infection has been studied. Morphological changes in muscular and connective tissue cells of the mucosa of the soft palate of rats have been found to occur. The suppressive effect of carnosine with respect to the pathogen and its positive influence on the processes of the regeneration of eukaryotic tissues.

[Vasculitis caused by Pseudomonas: a case report]. / Vasculitis por pseudomona. A propósito de un caso.

Pseudomona vasculitis is an exceptional disease. Only a few cases have been reported, non with oropharyngeal involvement. The case of a 30-year-old, HIV-positive man who suddenly developed septicemia and necrotizing lesions with tissue destruction of the oropharynx is reported. Histological study confirmed vasculitis. Pseudomona aeruginosa was isolated in peripheral blood and in the biopsy of the palatal lesion. Antibiotic treatment produced satisfactory results.

The microbiome of the soft palate of swine.

The tonsil of the soft palate in pigs is a secondary lymphoid tissue that provides a first line of defense against foreign antigens entering by the mouth or nares. It has been known for a long time to be the site of colonization of important swine and zoonotic bacterial pathogens. Initially our understanding of microbes present at this site came from culture-based studies. Very recently, sequence-based approaches have been used to identify the core microbiome of the swine tonsil. Although animal to animal and herd to herd variation was detected in these studies, >90 of the organisms detected belonged to the phyla Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Members of the family Pasteurellaceae appeared to be predominate in the tonsil; however, the relative proportions of Actinobacillus, Haemophilus, and Pasteurella varied. Members of the families Moraxellaceae, Fusobacteriaceae, Veillonellaceae, and Neisseriaceae were also seen as frequent residents of the tonsil.

Oral manifestation of histoplasmosis on the palate

Abstract This case report describes an uncommon manifestation of histoplasmosis on the soft palate. The importance of appropriate treatment and follow-up in complex cases is emphasized, especially in patients with chronic diseases. Oral lesions may occur as multiple, granular and painful ulcers, as well as verrucous growths. Lesions may also be deep, with infiltrative edges and erythematous or with white areas, accompanied by local lymphadenopathy, resembling a carcinoma on clinical examination. In this sense, a fast and accurate diagnosis is essential to the success of treatment of oral histoplasmosis.