Investigation of the relationship between periodontal and systemic inflammation in children with Sickle Cell Disease: A case- control study.

Periodontal diseases are chronic inflammatory diseases and tissue destruction increases with oxidative stress in periodontal tissues. Periodontal diseases are associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and rheumatoid arthritis by means of systemic inflammation. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which vaso-occlusive crisis and endothelial dysfunction are present. It is not known whether the chronic systemic inflammation seen in SCD affect periodontal tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontal and systemic inflammation in children with SCD. Forty-three children with SCD and 43 healthy children were included in the study. Physical, dental and periodontal statuses were examined, blood and saliva samples were taken. Levels of pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators in serum and saliva were evaluated. The periodontal findings of the groups were similar. The majority of the subjects in both groups had gingival inflammation. In SCD group, significantly higher serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, total oxidant status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO) and salivary IL-6 were observed (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between salivary IL-6 levels and serum Hs-CRP levels (r = 0.303, p < 0.05). In addition; it was determined that salivary IL-6, TNF-α and NO levels were increased 3-6 times in children with a history of painful crisis or acute chest syndrome compared to children who had never had a painful crisis or acute chest syndrome. Although, observed oral health status was similar in both groups, salivary cytokine levels were increased in children with SCD. The higher salivary cytokine levels may be associated with chronic systemic inflammation and vaso-occlusion observed in children with SCD.

Transseptal suturing technique in septoplasty: impact on bacteremia and nosocomial colonization.

Although effects of Merocel® nasal packs and silicone splints on nasal flora alterations and bacteremia formation after septoplasty were assessed before, the effect of transseptal suturing technique has not been studied yet. The objective of this study is to compare nasal flora alterations and bacteremia occurrence rates between Merocel packs, silicone splints, and transseptal suturing technique in septoplasty. Ninety patients were divided into three groups randomly: Merocel packing (Group M), silicone splint (Group S), and transseptal suturing without packing (Group T). Group M and S received prophylactic antibiotics and antibiotic pomade application to packs, whereas neither antibiotic prophylaxis nor topical pomade was applied to Group T. Preoperative, after pack removal and 1 month after pack removal nasal swab cultures and preoperative, immediately after surgery and 24 h after surgery blood cultures were taken from all patients. Group M increased Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) colonization (p = 0.003) and decreased normal flora colonization (p = 0.038), whereas Group S and T did not affect MSSA or normal flora colonization (p > 0.05). Antibiotic prophylaxis did not affect MSSA colonization (p = 0.14), whereas decreased normal flora colonization (p = 0.029). Transseptal suturing did not prevent bacteremia formation. Postoperative increasing of MSSA colonization in nasal cavity for septoplasty patients can be prevented by using transseptal suturing technique or silicone splints instead of Merocel packing, rather than applying prophylactic antibiotic treatment. Using transseptal suturing does not prevent bacteremia formation during septal surgery. These findings should be kept in mind to prevent postoperative life-threatening infective complications of septoplasty especially in immunosuppressive patients and patients with cardiovascular diseases.