Investigation of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolates at a tertiary laboratory in Pretoria, South Africa.

This study aimed to investigate phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolates (CRE) at a tertiary laboratory in South Africa. A total of 99 CRE isolates were collected between 2019 and 2021. Carbapenemase production was tested using modified carbapenem inhibitory method. Colistin susceptibility testing was performed using the ComASP™ Colistin broth microdilution method. Conventional PCR assays were conducted for detection of mcr-1 gene and common carbapenemase genes (blaVIM, blaNDM, blaIMP, blaKPC, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-51 and blaOXA-48). Rep-PCR assay was conducted to determine the genetic relatedness of the study isolates. Majority of the isolates were Klebsiella pneumoniae (83%). Carbapenem resistant K. pneumoniae cluster was observed from ICU and surgical ward samples. Colistin resistance was observed in 13% (12/93) of the isolates namely, in 11 K. pneumoniae and one Enterobacter cloacae. The blaOXA-48 (65%) was the most prevalent gene detected followed by blaNDM (25%) and blaVIM (22%). Several K. pneumoniae isolates concomitantly carried multiple carbapenemase genes with one isolate carry up to 5 five genes blaVIM, blaNDM, blaOXA-48, blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51. The mcr-1 gene was not detected in the isolates. Rep-PCR assay showed that most isolates matched cluster A (50%). The high prevalence of blaOXA-48, blaNDM and emerging colistin resistant isolates is of concern for patient management at this institution and needs close monitoring. Rep-PCR is a valuable tool in establishing infection clusters in resource-limited settings.

Antibacterial Activities of Monsonia Angustifolia and Momordica Balsamina Linn Extracts against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii.

Carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is resistant to most of the available antibiotics and poses serious therapeutic challenges. The study investigated Monsonia angustifolia (M. angustifolia) and Momordica balsamina Linn (M. balsamina Linn) extracts for antibacterial activity against a clinical isolate of carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion and TLC coupled with bioautography. MIC determination experiments were conducted on a molecularly characterized A. baumannii isolate identified using VITEK2. Positive PCR detection of blaOXA-51 and blaOXA-23 confirmed isolate identity and the presence of a carbapenemase-encoding gene. Antibacterial activity was observed with the methanolic extract of M. balsamina Linn with a MIC of 0.5 mg/mL. Compounds with Rf values of 0.05; 0.17; 0.39 obtained from M. angustifolia hexane extract; compounds with Rf values of 0.58; 0.78; 0.36; 0.48; 0.5; 0.56; 0.67; 0.9 obtained from M. angustifolia dichloromethane extract; compounds with Rf values of 0.11; 0.56; 0.24; 0.37 obtained from M. angustifolia acetone extract and compounds with Rf values of 0.11; 0.27 obtained from M. angustifolia methanol extract demonstrated a level of antibacterial activity. M. angustifolia and M. balsamina Linn plant extracts have a clinically significant antibacterial activity against a carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii strain.

Phytochemical Screening, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Extracts of Viscum continuum E. Mey. Ex Sprague, a South African Mistletoe.

Viscum continuum E. Mey. Ex Sprague is a woody evergreen semi-parasitic shrub that grows on the branches of other trees. It is used by African traditional healers for post-stroke management. This study reports on the qualitative phytochemical screening and the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Viscum continuum's acetone, methanol, hexane and dichloromethane extracts. Standard protocols for the phytochemical screening of extracts were employed. TLC bio-autography was used for qualitative antioxidants analysis. Assays: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, H2O2 free-radical scavenging and ferric chloride reducing power were carried out for quantitative antioxidant analysis. The antimicrobial potential of extracts was screened using disc diffusion, bio-autography and broth micro-dilution. The results indicate the presence of alkaloids, phenolics and tannins in all extracts. Acetone and methanol revealed significant amount of saponins, phenolics, tannins and terpenoids. The extracts exhibited significant antioxidant potential on TLC with positive compound bands at an Rf range of 0.05-0.89. DPPH, H2O2 and the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ assays indicated that methanol extract has a strong antioxidant potential, followed by acetone, DCM and lastly hexane. The extracts of Viscum continuum show the potential to be antibacterial agents. It can be concluded that Viscum continuum extracts contain phytochemicals which are capable of mitigating against chronic health conditions such as cancer, stroke and stress-related and infectious diseases.

An Extremely Rare Cause of Isolated Congenital Anosmia.

A 14-year-old adolescent was referred to a regional paediatric outpatient clinic with anosmia by her family doctor in Western Australia. The patient has no recollection of her previous ability to smell, suggesting the possibility of congenital anosmia. She was assessed in the paediatric outpatient clinic. A "noncontrast high-resolution MRI-brain scan with Anosmia-Protocol" was requested as the first-line investigation of choice by the treating paediatrician. The MRI was reported as "absence of olfactory tracts with preserved olfactory bulb volume." We report an extremely rare case of "isolated agenesis of the olfactory tract with intact olfactory bulbs" and discuss the clinical approach in bedside assessment of isolated congenital anosmia (ICA). Congenital anosmia can be a presentation of olfactory bulb aplasia; however, little is known about isolated olfactory tract agenesis and its treatment options. The patient was counselled on the diagnosis and safety advice provided.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of a Colistin-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strain Isolated at a Tertiary Health Facility in Pretoria, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii's (A. baumannii) growing resistance to all available antibiotics is of concern. The study describes a colistin-resistant A. baumannii isolated at a clinical facility from a tracheal aspirate sample. Furthermore, it determines the isolates' niche establishment ability within the tertiary health facility. METHODS: An antimicrobial susceptibility test, conventional PCR, quantitative real-time PCR, phenotypic evaluation of the efflux pump, and whole-genome sequencing and analysis were performed on the isolate. RESULTS: The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern revealed a resistance to piperacillin/tazobactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, cefotaxime/ceftriaxone, imipenem, meropenem, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tigecycline, and colistin. A broth microdilution test confirmed the colistin resistance. Conventional PCR and quantitative real-time PCR investigations revealed the presence of adeB, adeR, and adeS, while mcr-1 was not detected. A MIC of 0.38 µg/mL and 0.25 µg/mL was recorded before and after exposure to an AdeABC efflux pump inhibitor. The whole-genome sequence analysis of antimicrobial resistance-associated genes detected beta-lactam: blaOXA-66; blaOXA-23; blaADC-25; blaADC-73; blaA1; blaA2, and blaMBL; aminoglycoside: aph(6)-Id; aph(3″)-Ib; ant(3″)-IIa and armA) and a colistin resistance-associated gene lpsB. The whole-genome sequence virulence analysis revealed a biofilm formation system and cell-cell adhesion-associated genes: bap, bfmR, bfmS, csuA, csuA/B, csuB, csuC, csuD, csuE, pgaA, pgaB, pgaC, and pgaD; and quorum sensing-associated genes: abaI and abaR and iron acquisition system associated genes: barA, barB, basA, basB, basC, basD, basF, basG, basH, basI, basJ, bauA, bauB, bauC, bauD, bauE, bauF, and entE. A sequence type classification based on the Pasteur scheme revealed that the isolate belongs to sequence type ST2. CONCLUSIONS: The mosaic of the virulence factors coupled with the resistance-associated genes and the phenotypic resistance profile highlights the risk that this strain is at this South African tertiary health facility.

Efflux Pump Activity and Mutations Driving Multidrug Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii at a Tertiary Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) has developed several resistance mechanisms. The bacteria have been reported as origin of multiple outbreaks. This study aims to investigate the use of efflux pumps and quinolone resistance-associated genotypic mutations as mechanisms of resistance in A. baumannii isolates at a tertiary hospital. A total number of 103 A. baumannii isolates were investigated after identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by VITEK2 followed by PCR amplification of bla OXA-51 . Conventional PCR amplification of the AdeABC efflux pump (adeB, adeS, and adeR) and quinolone (parC and gyrA) resistance genes were performed, followed by quantitative real-time PCR of AdeABC efflux pump genes. Phenotypic evaluation of efflux pump expression was performed by determining the difference between the MIC of tigecycline before and after exposure to an efflux pump inhibitor. The Sanger sequencing method was used to sequence the parC and gyrA amplicons. A phylogenetic tree was drawn using MEGA 4.0 to evaluate evolutionary relatedness of the strains. All the collected isolates were bla OXA-51 -positive. High resistance to almost all the tested antibiotics was observed. Efflux pump was found in 75% of isolates as a mechanism of resistance. The study detected parC gene mutation in 60% and gyrA gene mutation in 85%, while 37% of isolates had mutations on both genes. A minimal evolutionary distance between the isolates was reported. The use of the AdeABC efflux pump system as an active mechanism of resistance combined with point mutation mainly in gyrA was shown to contribute to broaden the resistance spectrum of A. baumannii isolates.

Sarcoidosis cutánea: preámbulo de la enfermedad sistémica / Cutaneous sarcoidosis: Preamble of the systemic disease

RESUMEN La sarcoidosis es una enfermedad granulomatosa, multisistémica, de causa desconocida y con múltiples manifestaciones clínicas. La característica histopatológica esencial son los granulomas uniformes no caseificantes con escasos linfocitos periféricos (granulomas desnudos). Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 62 años que acudió a Cuerpo de Guardia por presentar tos seca, falta de aire, inflamación de ganglios axilares y lesiones en piel, en forma de placas, máculas y otras de aspecto psoriasiforme. Las manifestaciones clínicas, los resultados de los exámenes complementarios y al hacer el diagnóstico diferencial con otras afecciones que cursan con hallazgos similares, se llegó al diagnóstico de sarcoidosis sistémica. El paciente evolucionó favorablemente con el tratamiento indicado. El compromiso cutáneo de la sarcoidosis representa un desafío dada la variada presentación de esta entidad y los diagnósticos diferenciales a considerar.

ABSTRACT Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology with multiple clinical manifestations. The essential histopathologic feature is uniform non-caseating granulomas with few peripheral lymphocytes (naked granulomas). We present the case of a 62-year-old male patient who came to the emergency room due to a dry cough, shortness of breath, swollen axillary glands and skin lesions, in the form of plaques, macules, and others with a psoriasiform appearance. The clinical manifestations, the results of the complementary tests and when making the differential diagnosis with other conditions that present similar findings, the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis was reached. The patient evolved favorably with the indicated treatment. The cutaneous involvement of sarcoidosis represents a challenge given the varied presentation of this entity and the differential diagnoses to be considered.

Retrospective cohort study of neonatal early onset of sepsis and the role of the EOS calculator in a level II nursery.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates. With the improvement in health care standards, the incidence of neonatal Early Onset Sepsis (EOS) has reduced significantly. A recent Web-based EOS-calculator has been introduced with the aim to reduce the use of IV antibiotics in neonates. The role of the EOS-calculator has yet to be ascertained in this regional Special Care Nursery (SCN) in Western Australia. This study aims at examining the local incidence of culture proven EOS and the role of the EOS calculator. METHOD: It is a retrospective study examining all newborns ≥35 weeks gestation throughout 2019 (Jan-Dec 2019) who received IV-antibiotics. The local incidence of culture-proven EOS was established and applied onto the EOS calculator. The recommended management by the EOS-calculator was cross-examined with the local EOS guideline. Overall proportion of reduction in IV antibiotics use was formulated. Other relevant laboratory data extracted was analysed with Pearson's correlation test with the EOS scores. RESULTS: Total included sample was n = 252 with an annual birth of 1880s indicating 13.4% of all neonates born throughout year 2019 was treated with IV antibiotics. The local incidence of culture-proven EOS was 0.5/1000. By applying the EOS-calculator, a significant reduction of IV antibiotics usage from 13.4% to 3.9% (z value 10.4, p < 0.0001) could be achieved in this cohort. Sixty three percent of neonates who received IV antibiotics in this cohort were classified as 'clinically well' based on the EOS-calculator. CONCLUSION: The EOS-calculator could reduce the use of IV antibiotics in the neonatal population significantly in this regional SCN (from 13.4% to 3.9%). Judicial use of IV antibiotics is imperative as part of the holistic care for the neonates. Implementation of the EOS-calculator must be done strategically considering the local incidence of EOS and other health care policies.

Investigating multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates at a tertiary hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.

PURPOSE: Antimicrobial resistance is now globally recognised amongst the greatest threat to human health. Acinetobacter baumannii's' (A. baumannii) clinical significance has been driven by its ability to obtain and transmit antimicrobial resistance factors. In South Africa, A. baumannii is a leading cause of healthcare associated infections (HAI). In this study, we investigated the genetic determinants of multi-drug resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB) at a teaching hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. METHODS: One hundred non repetitive isolates of A. baumannii were collected for the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK2 system. The prevalence of antibiotic resistance associated genes and AdeABC efflux pump system were investigated using conventional PCR. Genetic relatedness of isolates was determined using rep-PCR. RESULTS: Seventy (70) of 100 isolates collected were confirmed multi-drug resistant and were blaOXA51positive. Phenotypically, the isolates where resistant to almost all tested antibiotics. One isolate showed intermediate susceptibility to tigecycline while all were susceptible to colistin. Oxacillinase gene blaOXA-23 was the most detected at 99% and only 1% was positive for blaOXA-40. For Metallo-betalactamases (MBL), blaVIMwas the most frequently detected at 86% and blaSIM-1 at 3% was the least detected. Fifty-six isolates had the required gene combination for an active efflux pump. The most prevalent clone was clone A at 69% of the isolates. Colistin and tigecycline are the most effective against investigated isolates. CONCLUSION: The major genotypic determinant for drug resistances is oxacillinases blaOXA-23. The study reports for the first time, blaOXA-40 and blaSIM-1 detection in A. baumannii in South Africa.

Cardiac involvement in adult-onset Still's disease: Manifestations, treatments and outcomes in a retrospective study of 28 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare inflammatory disease that may be life-threatening if complicated by cardiac problems. We performed a retrospective multicenter study to describe the manifestations, treatments and outcomes of cardiac involvement in AOSD. METHODS: We reviewed the medical databases of eight centers. All AOSD patients identified as fulfilling Yamagushi's or Fautrel's criteria were included in the study. Cardiac involvement, clinical manifestations, laboratory features, the course of the disease and treatments were evaluated. RESULTS: We included 96 AOSD patients in this study: 28 (29%) had documented cardiac involvement (AOSD + C group) and 68 (71%) had no cardiac involvement (control group). Cardiac complications were observed at diagnosis in 89% of cases. It were pericarditis (n = 17), tamponade (n = 5), myocarditis (n = 5) and non-infectious endocarditis (n = 1). Levels of leukocytes, neutrophils and C-reactive protein were significantly higher (p = 0.02, p = 0.02 and p = 0.002, respectively in the AOSD + C group than in the control group. Admission to intensive care, and the use of biotherapy were more frequent during follow-up in the AOSD + C group than the control group (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.03 respectively). Cardiac involvement was associated with refractory form in multivariate analyzed (p = 0.01). Corticosteroids were effective with or without methotrexate in 71% of patients but not in severe involvement as myocarditis or tamponade. CONCLUSION: Cardiac complications are frequent, inaugural, can be life-threatening and predictive of a refractory course in patients with AOSD. Systematic cardiac screening should be proposed at diagnosis and biotherapy early use should be considered especially in myocarditis.

Síndrome de DRESS secundario a alopurinol / DRESS syndrome secondary to allopurinol

RESUMEN El síndrome de hipersensibilidad por fármacos, también conocido como síndrome de DRESS, es una farmacodermia grave que se caracteriza por una erupción polimorfa diseminada, fiebre y compromiso multiorgánico. Este padecimiento tiene una incidencia que oscila entre el 0,1 % y el 0,01 % de las exposiciones farmacológicas, con una probabilidad de fallecimiento de un 20 % al 30 %. Fue descrito por primera vez en el año 1936, como una reacción adversa a la fenitoína. En la actualidad se reconoce que puede estar asociado a otros fármacos como: abacavir, metronidazol, doxiciclina, isoniazida, carbamacepina, fenobarbital, beta-bloqueadores, dapsona, ranitidina, antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y el alopurinol. Se presenta un paciente de 69 años de edad que desarrolló un síndrome de DRESS secundario a alopurinol. El paciente mostró signos poco frecuentes de esta rara enfermedad: linfocitos atípicos, hepatomegalia y afección renal; falleció poco después debido a un choque séptico por estafilococo áureo.

ABSTRACT Drug hypersensitivity syndrome, also known as DRESS syndrome, is a severe pharmacodermia characterized by a polymorphous disseminated rash, fever, and multi-organ involvement. Its incidence ranges between 0.1 to 0.01% from the pharmacological exposures, with a probability of death ranging from 20 to 30%. It was first described in 1936 as an adverse reaction to phenytoin. Nowadays, it is known that it can also be associated with other drugs such as abacavir, metronidazole, doxycycline, isoniazid, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, beta-blockers, dapsone, ranitidine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and allopurinol. We present a 69-year-old male patient who developed a DRESS syndrome secondary to alupurinol. The patient showed unusual signs of this rare disease such as atypical lymphocytes, hepatomegaly and kidney disease; he dies shortly after from a septic shock due to Staphylococcus aureus.

Algunas características del cáncer de piel en pacientes del municipio Sagua la Grande / Some characteristics of skin cancer in patients from Sagua la Grande municipality

RESUMEN Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con el objetivo de caracterizar el comportamiento del cáncer de piel en pacientes del municipio Sagua la Grande, durante el año 2017. La muestra incluyó a los 237 pacientes con diagnóstico positivo de cáncer de piel que fueron atendidos en la consulta de Dermatología de los Policlínicos «Idalberto Revuelta¼ y «Mario Antonio Pérez¼ de dicha localidad. El 75,1 % de los pacientes tenían más de 60 años de edad, y el 53,5 % eran del sexo masculino. El 69,6 % fueron diagnosticados con carcinoma basocelular, de ellos, el 58,2 % del subtipo nodular. La nariz fue la localización más frecuente (31,2 %). El conocimiento de esta información es imprescindible para trazar estrategias dirigidas hacia la prevención primaria y secundaria de salud que permitirán enfrentar el cáncer de piel como problema de salud.

ABSTRACT A cross-sectional descriptive study was aimed at characterizing the prevalence of skin cancer in patients from Sagua la Grande municipality during 2017. The sample included 237 patients with a positive diagnosis of skin cancer who were treated in the dermatology consultation at "Mario Antonio Pérez" and "Idalberto Revuelta" polyclinics. 75.1% of the patients were over 60 years of age; and 53.5% male. 69.6% of the patients were diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma; 58.2% of them with nodular subtype. The most frequent location was the nose (31.2%). The knowledge of this information is necessary to draw up strategies aimed at primary and secondary health prevention that allow facing skin cancer as a health problem.

A randomized controlled trial of orthodontist-based brief advice to prevent child obesity.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to test whether brief exercise and diet advice provided during child patient visits to their orthodontic office could improve diet, physical activity, and age-and-gender-adjusted BMI. METHODS: We enrolled orthodontic offices in Southern California and Tijuana, Mexico, and recruited their patients aged 8-16 to participate in a two-year study. At each office visit, staff provided the children with "prescriptions" for improving diet and exercise behaviors. Multilevel models, which adjusted for clustering, determined differential group effects on health outcomes, and moderation of effects. RESULTS: We found differential change in BMI favoring the intervention group, but only among male participants (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.085). Of four dietary variables, only junk food consumption changed differentially, in favor of the intervention group (p = 0.020; d = 0.122); the effect was significant among overweight/obese (p = 0.001; d = 0.335) but not normal weight participants. Physical activity declined non-differentially in both groups and both genders. CONCLUSION: The intervention, based on the Geoffrey Rose strategy, had limited success in achieving its aims. IMPLICATIONS: Orthodontists can deliver non-dental prevention advice to complement other health-practitioner-delivered advice. Higher fidelity to trial design is needed to adequately test the efficacy of clinician-based brief advice on preventing child obesity and/or reversing obesity.

Telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditaria en una gestante / Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in a pregnant woman

Se presenta el caso clínico de una embarazada de 16 años de edad, quien acudió a las consultas de dermatología y genética por presentar lesiones cutáneas. Luego de realizar los estudios pertinentes se consideró el diagnóstico de telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditaria. Se remitió al Hospital Mártires del 9 de Abril de Sagua La Grande con sangrado vaginal, rectal y de labios, que fue controlado. Se realizaron interconsultas con otros especialistas para garantizar la atención multidisciplinaria durante el embarazo y el parto. La paciente evolucionó favorablemente hasta tener a su bebé a través de un parto eutócico

The case report of a 16 years pregnant woman is presented who went to the dermatology and genetics services due to cutaneous lesions. After carrying out the pertinent studies, the diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia was considered. She was referred to Mártires del 9 de Abril Hospital in Sagua La Grande with vaginal, rectal and labium bleeding that was controlled. Some consultations with other specialists were carried out to guarantee the multidisciplinary care during pregnancy and childbirth. The patient had a favorable clinical course until having her baby through an eutocic childbirth

Telangiectasia hemorrágica hereditaria en una gestante / Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia in a pregnant woman

El alcoholismo es una enfermedad crónica que afecta el sentido de la vida y dificulta en la mayoría de los casos la adherencia terapéutica y la abstinencia. Entre las terapias utilizadas en los pacientes alcohólicos, la logoterapia se presenta como una variedad complementaria en el plan terapéutico prescrito, por sus ventajas y aceptación(AU)

Alcoholism is a chronic disease which affects the life sense and in most of the cases it affects the therapeutic adherence and abstinence. Among the therapies used in the alcoholic patients, logotherapy is presented as a complementary variety in the prescribed therapeutic plan, due to its advantages and acceptance(AU)

Youth receiving orthodontic care are not immune to poor diet and overweight: a call for dental providers to participate in prevention efforts.

OBJECTIVES: While obesity is common in the US, disparities exist. Orthodontic samples are assumed to be more affluent than the general population and not in need of assistance in developing or maintaining healthy lifestyles. This paper evaluates the need of the orthodontic population for intervention by examining diet and weight status of an orthodontic patient sample and describes a role for dental clinicians in obesity prevention efforts. METHODS: 552 patients age 8-14 years, 54% female, 51% non-Hispanic white, 26% Hispanic were recruited from orthodontic practices in Southern California to participate in a randomized controlled trial of clinician-delivered health promotion. Height, weight, demographics, and diet were recorded. Chi-Square analyses were used to test for differences at baseline by gender, age, ethnicity, and income. RESULTS: 13% of the sample was overweight and 9% was obese. Males had a higher rate of obesity than females. Lower income youth had a higher rate than higher income youth. Hispanic youth had a higher rate than non-Hispanic white youth. Failure to meet national dietary guidelines was common, differing significantly by demographic group. CONCLUSIONS: Within a sample not typically thought of as needing assistance, nearly 25% were overweight or obese and the majority failed to meet dietary recommendations. While most patients could benefit from intervention, male, Hispanic, and lower income groups were in greatest need of assistance. Dental providers, who see youth frequently and already discuss nutrition in the context of oral health, have the opportunity to contribute to obesity prevention.

Association of occupational exposure with features of systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure is reported as playing a substantial causative role in systemic sclerosis (SSc). OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the characteristics of SSc in patients with and without occupational exposure to crystalline silica/solvents. METHODS: In all, 142 patients with SSc were enrolled in this prospective study. An expert committee performed blind evaluation of occupational exposure to crystalline silica/solvents. RESULTS: Patients exposed to crystalline silica more often exhibited: diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = .02), digital ulcers (P = .05), interstitial lung disease (P = .0004), myocardial dysfunction (P = .006), and cancer (P = .06). Patients exposed to solvents more frequently developed: diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = .001), digital ulcers (P = .01), interstitial lung disease (P = .02), myocardial dysfunction (P = .04), and cancer (P = .003); in addition, these patients were more frequently anti-Scl 70 positive and anticentromere negative. Under multivariate analysis, significant factors for SSc associated with exposure to silica/solvents were: male gender (odds ratio 19.31, 95% confidence interval 15.34-69.86), cancer (odds ratio 5.97, 95% confidence interval 1.55-23.01), and digital ulcers (odds ratio 2.42, 95% confidence interval 1.05-5.56). LIMITATIONS: The cohort originated from a single geographic region. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to crystalline silica/solvents is correlated with more severe forms of SSc characterized by: diffuse cutaneous involvement, interstitial lung disease, general microangiopathy (digital ulcers and myocardial dysfunction), and association with cancer. Occupational exposure should be systematically checked in all patients with SSc, as exposed patients seem to develop more severe forms of SSc.

Oral health for people with special needs: consensus statement on implications and recommendations for the dental profession.

In November 2004, the Pacific Center for Special Care at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, with support from the California Dental Association Foundation, hosted a conference to explore the issue of oral health for people with special needs. This conference was held in conjunction with the joint meetings of Pacific's Statewide Task Force on Oral Health for People With Special Needs and Pacific's Statewide Task Force on Oral Health and Aging. These groups of interested stakeholders meet several times a year to discuss the increasing problems faced by people with disabilities, elderly individuals, and other special populations in obtaining access to oral health services and maintaining good oral health. The purpose of this conference was to explore the changing population of people with special needs, analyze the implications for the dental profession and society, and describe systems and strategies that might lead to improved oral health for these populations. This conference also served as a forum for developing oral health recommendations as a part of the California Commission on Aging's Strategic Plan for an Aging Population. Seven nationally recognized speakers presented draft papers on various aspects of this topic. These presentations are published as the additional papers in this and the next issue of the Journal. There was time for audience reaction and discussion with the speakers. The speakers and a designated group of reactors then developed this consensus statement and recommendations for addressing these issues.

La consulta english-sesotho. Una propuesta en función de la comunicación / The consultation english-sesotho. A proposal in function of the comunication

Se realizó una investigación pedagógica exploratoria, propuesta durante el cumplimiento de misión internacionalista en Lesotho, desde noviembre de 2002 hasta noviembre de 2004. Mediante el diseño y realización una propuesa comunicativa English-Sesotho. Tomando como referencia el manual de Inglés médico comunicativo realizado con anterioridad para internacionalistas a países del habla inglesa. Nuestro propósito fue profundizar en la adquisición de conocimientos y desarrollo de habilidades en el idioma inglés y a la vez adquirir conocimientos y desarrollar habilidades en el lenguaje sesotho para facilitar el proceso de comnicación con los equipos de trabajo y con los pacientes y familiares y a su vez evaluar el impacto de la propuesta. El universo de trabajo estuvo constituido por todos los cooperantes que prestaron servicios asistenciales en ese período en Lesotho en el marco del (PIS. Programa Integral de Salud). Para la obtención de la información se aplicó una encuesta al culminar la misión. Las opiniones expresadas evidenciaron los positivos resultados de la misma. Su análisis nos permitió concluir que la misma facilitó profundizar en el dominio del idioma inglés y adquirir conocimientos y desarrollar habilidades en Sesotho, con un impacto positivo para los cooperantes como para los basothos trabajadores de salud, pacientes y familiares(AU)

Practical protocols for the prevention of dental disease in community settings for people with special needs: the protocols.

People with special needs have more dental disease and more missing teeth than the general population. They also have reduced access to oral health diagnostic, preventive, interceptive and treatment services. If services are available, they can be complicated and costly. It is critical to prevent dental diseases in these individuals. This article presents a set of practical protocols for preventing dental disease in people with special needs. These protocols are designed to be used in community settings outside of a dental office.