Oral Colonization and Virulence Factors of Candida spp. in Babies With Cleft Palate.

OBJECTIVE: To examine oral colonization and virulence factors of Candida spp. in patients aged from 0 to 18 months with cleft palate (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty babies were allocated into 3 groups: CP, CP with orthodontic plate (CPwP), and control group (Ctrl) without CP. Information on feeding habits, hygiene, and history of candidosis was collected. The presence of Candida spp. was investigated in samples of saliva. Fungal hydrophobicity, protease, esterase, phospholipase, and hemolysin were evaluated in a semiquantitative manner. RESULTS: Positive oral isolations of Candida spp. were detected in CP (89.5%), CPwP (100%), and Ctrl (44%) groups. Candidosis was more reported in the cleft groups than in the Ctrl group (P ≤ .023). There was a higher prevalence of Candida albicans, followed by Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, and Candida parapsilosis in all groups. There was no uniformity of expression of virulence factors, either among different species or among different groups. CONCLUSION: Candida spp. colonization occurred in all groups, being superior in CPwP group. Candidosis episodes were more reported in patients from CPwP than in other groups, although candidosis was also registered in other groups. Candida albicans was the predominant species and virulence factors did not exhibit any pattern for species or groups of patients.

The role of polymorphism of the IL6 gene in tooth replantation.

The absence or presence of root resorption on the root surface of a replanted tooth indicates an immune-inflammatory reaction. Since interleukin-6 (IL-6) is considered an inflammatory marker in bone resorption, this study aimed to investigate the association between clinical variables and polymorphisms in IL6, with the outcome of replanted teeth at 1-year follow-up. Altogether, 127 avulsed teeth that were replanted and had their root canals treated were selected for this study. Periapical radiographs were taken after replantation and after 1 year. Real-time PCR was used to genotype IL6 polymorphisms. Chi-square and 'Z' tests were performed to verify the association between genetic variables and the prognosis of replanted teeth (P < 0.05). An association was observed between the rs2069843 polymorphism of IL6 and the outcome of replanted teeth (P < 0.05). The rs2069843 polymorphism of IL6 may influence the outcome of avulsed and replanted teeth in the first year post-trauma.

RANK/RANKL/OPG gene polymorphisms and loss of orthodontic mini-implants.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of genetic polymorphisms (tagSNPs type) of RANK/RANKL/OPG genes with the loss of orthodontic mini-implants (MIs). SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: One hundred and thirty-five patients of both sexes, with mean age of 48.7 ± 10 (20-76 years), were studied. The control group was composed of 104 patients, with no MI lost and functioning for at least 6 months and the case group, of 31 patients with at least one MI lost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were obtained by mouthwash with 3% glucose solution for 1 minute and scraping the buccal mucosa with sterilized spatula. DNA was extracted from buccal epithelial cells with 10 M ammonium acetate and 1 mM EDTA. Genotyping was performed by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed (P < .05). RESULTS: No markers were associated with MI loss after Benjamini and Hochberg false discovery rate correction of Univariate tests. In the multivariate analysis, the variables that associated with MI loss were the number of MIs installed (P < .000) and the polymorphism rs8086340 in the RANK gene (P = .018). CONCLUSION: A higher number of MIs installed (P < .000) and polymorphism rs8086340 in the RANK gene (P = .018) were associated with loss of orthodontic MIs after multivariate analysis.