[Benign maxillary tumors. Epulis in Senegal]. / Les tumeurs bénignes des maxillaires. Les épulis au Sénégal.

The epulis is a hyperplasic tumour restricted to the gum. It is the most widely spread tumour among the benin gum tumours. It has various etiologies. The authors emphasize the epidemiological and clinical aspects of 96 cases. Four types of epulis are observed, the most common type being the acquired epulis. On an etiological level, the factor related to oral hygiene is the most criticized. Their frequency in the oral pathology should lead the dental surgeon to master his treatment.

[HIV infection: a new concern in dental public health]. / L'infection à VIH: nouvelle préoccupation en santé publique dentaire.

The authors report the results of a seroepidemiological study, conducted in Senegal on dental personnel. This study allows them to confirm that professional dental practice is a factor of risk for the HIV infection. This study recommends work methods to the dental profession.

PIP: During January-March 1990, at 26 of 38 dental facilities throughout Senegal, health workers took blood samples from 10 dental surgeons, 60 nurse specialists in dentistry, and 21 dental health agents so researchers could determine the prevalence of HIV infection among dental public health providers. There were 2.67 men for every woman. Women were more likely to be dental surgeons than men. Most subjects were 26-35 years old and worked in the Dakar region. Five persons (3.81%) were infected with HIV. Three had HIV-1 infection (2.29%), one had HIV-2 infection (0.76%), and one had dual infection (HIV-1 and HIV-2) (0.76%). All three HIV-1 infection cases were women as well as dental surgeons. The remaining cases were men as well as nurse specialists in dentistry. The age of all HIV infected persons but one fell between 25 and 35. The age of the other case fell within the 36-45 age group. Four of the HIV infected persons were married and monogamous. The remaining case was single. All HIV positive persons had been practicing their profession for at least four years. The sole HIV-2 positive person had been practicing his profession for 10 years. Since there is the case of an HIV positive dentist in Florida (USA) who had transmitted HIV to five patients, one should not rule out the possibility of HIV transmission from dental professionals to patients. Thus, dental professionals should use bleaching solution diluted to 10% for 10 minutes. This solution should be available for all dental services. Dental providers should wear gloves, masks, and goggles with all patients. They should use single-use sterile material for each patient. Adequate emergency measures to prevent nosocomial transmission of HIV must be established in Senegal.

Les constrictions permanentes des machoires d'origine infectieuse au Senegal

Les auteurs rapportent leur experience des constrictions permanentes des machoires d'origine infectieuse qui representent 45;8 pour cent de leurs observations; ils proposent une classification de ces CPDM selon leur pathogenie puisque a chacune d'elles correspond une attitude therapeutique. Les resultats du traitement sont egalement fonction de la nature de la lesion: bons dans les ankyloses articulaires et dans les atteintes des muscles masticateurs; ils sont moins satisfaisants dans le cas de brides intermaxillaires qui imposent les interventions palliatives

[Pterygo-cavernous thrombophlebitis and temporo-mandibular ankylosis in dental infections]. / Thrombophlébite ptérygo-caverneuse et ankylose temporo-mandibulaire au décours d'une infection dentaire.

The authors report the complications of a case of cellulitis from dental origin. A cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis and a temporo-mandibular ankylosis succeed, pointing on the importance of a precocious treatment of dental phlegmons, in order to prevent occurrence of local or regional complications.

[Antibiotic sensitivity of germs isolated from cellulitis of dental origin in Senegal (results of a survey of 49 cases)]. / Sensibilité aux antibiotiques des germes isolés dans les cellulites d'origine dentaire au Sénégal (résultats d'une enquête sur 49 cas).

Irregular results sometimes found during antibiotic treatment of perimaxillar cellulitis, conducted the authors to study bacteriology of these infections from dental origin. This study confirmed the aero and anerobic polymicrobism of these cellulitis. Antibiograms realised in 49 cases showed occurrence of streptococcal and anaerobic germs resistance to antibiotics usually prescribed. A nearly constant success of other antibiotics allowed the authors to define a first intention antibiotherapy for the treatment of these infections.

[Hepatitis B at the Dakar Dental School]. / L'hepatite B a l'Ecole Dentaire de Dakar.

Numerous studies have revealed the personal risk of contamination of the virus hepatitis B (HBV). Dental surgeons are chiefly concerned about their almost continual contact, professionally, with blood and saliva. The authors report the results of a study done at the Dental Institute of Dakar. This study revealed the importance of AgHBS and its different functions during the period of observation. A particular point of this study is to emphasis subjects of serology, notably AgHBS+ Anti HBC-, which produce an alternative virus. This study, which is being followed up, has already enabled the commencement of disease prevention programmes of hepatitis through the vaccination of some students: protecting both the dental surgeons and their patients.