Clinical Properties and Diagnostic Methods of COVID-19 Infection in Pregnancies: Meta-Analysis.

We aimed to summarize reliable medical evidence by the meta-analysis of all published retrospective studies that examined data based on the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by clinical symptoms, molecular (RT-PCR) diagnosis, and characteristic CT imaging features in pregnant women. The MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, ClinicalKey, and CINAHL databases were used to select the studies. Then, 384 articles were received, including the studies until 01/May/2020. As a result of the full-text evaluation, 12 retrospective articles covering all the data related were selected. A total of 181 pregnant cases with SARS-CoV-2 infections were included in the meta-analysis within the scope of these articles. According to the results, the incidence of fever was 38.1% (95% CI: 14.2-65%) and cough was 22% (95% CI: 10.8-35.2%) among all clinical features of pregnant cases with SARS-CoV-2 infection. So, fever and cough are the most common symptoms in pregnant cases with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and 91.8% (95% CI: 76.7-99.9%) of RT-PCR results are positive. Moreover, abnormal CT incidence is 97.9% (95% CI: 94.2-99.9%) positive. No case was death. However, as this virus spreads globally, it should not be overlooked that the incidence will increase in pregnant women and maybe in the risky group. RT-PCR and CT can be used together in an accurate and safe diagnosis. In conclusion, these findings will provide important guidance for current studies regarding the clinical features and correct detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women, as well as whether it will create emergency tables that will require the use of a viral drug.

Effect of oral antiseptic agents on phospholipase and proteinase enzymes of Candida albicans.

OBJECTIVE: Candida-associated denture stomatitis is the most prevalent form of oral candida infections among the denture wearers. Generally, antiseptic oral rinses used in the treatment of these infections are considered as an adjunct or alternative antifungal treatment. Studies have suggested that the intraoral concentrations of antiseptics decrease substantially to the sub-therapeutic levels on account of the dynamics of the oral cavity. This condition yields the question about the minimum antiseptic concentration that effect the character or pathogenesis of Candida during treatment. The extracellular phospholipase and proteinase enzymes of Candida albicans are regarded to have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of human fungal infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different sub-therapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine gluconate, hexetidine and triclosan on the production of these enzymes by C. albicans strains isolated from 20 patients with denture stomatitis. METHODS: Phospholipase test was done by using Sabouraud dextrose agar with egg yolk, proteinase test was done by using bovine serum albumin agar. METHODS: Phospholipase test was done by using Sabouraud dextrose agar with egg yolk, proteinase test was done by using bovine serum albumin agar. RESULTS: Exoenzyme production of 20 strains which were brief exposured to sub-therapeutic concentrations of three antiseptic agents decreased significantly compared with the strains that were not exposured with antiseptic values (p<0.05). There was significant difference between the sub-therapeutic concentrations of each of three antiseptics (p<0.05). When the same concentrations of each antiseptic was compared, there were no significant differences between enzymatic activities (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that sub-therapeutic levels of each antiseptic may modulate candidal exoenzyme production, consequently suppressing pathogenicity of C. albicans.

Phospholipase activity of Candida albicans isolates from patients with denture stomatitis: the influence of chlorhexidine gluconate on phospholipase production.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The extracellular phospholipases of Candida albicans are considered to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of human infections. Therefore 23 clinical oral isolates of C. albicans from patients with denture stomatitis and 22 commensal oral isolates obtained from the palatal mucosa of healthy subjects were assayed for phospholipase activity. It is generally accepted that chlorhexidine gluconate is an appropriate adjunct or an alternative to antimycotic therapy in the management of oral candidiasis. However, the intraoral concentrations of this antiseptic fluctuate considerably due to the dynamics of the oral cavity. So the second main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of brief exposure (30 min) to two sub-therapeutic concentrations (0.002% and 0.0012%) of chlorhexidine gluconate on the value of phospholipase production (Pz) of C. albicans. METHOD: An in vitro phospholipase production was done by plate assay method using an egg yolk-agar medium. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the number of C. albicans isolates producing phospholipase between two groups. However, the mean value of Pz produced by the isolates from patients with denture stomatitis was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the commensals. Exposure of the isolates to 0.002% and 0.0012% chlorhexidine led to a significant (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively) reduction in the amount of phospholipase. CONCLUSION: The results of this study imply that sub-therapeutic levels of chlorhexidine may modulate candidal phospholipase activity, thereby suppressing pathogenicity of C. albicans.

Distribution and phospholipase activity of Candida species in different denture stomatitis types.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between frequency and phospholipase activity of Candida species and denture stomatitis according to Newton's classification. Seventy-five complete denture wearers were evaluated for the presence of yeasts on the palatal mucosa by culture method. In addition, the number of yeast isolates producing phospholipase and amount of this enzyme were determined using egg yolk agar plate method. According to Newton's classification, 25 denture wearers were with healthy palatal mucosa while 50 were with any types of denture stomatitis. The frequency of yeasts was linked to whether subjects had Type II or Type III, but not Type I denture stomatitis. Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species in denture wearers with and without clinical signs of denture stomatitis and it was the only species produced phospholipase. Although the amount of phospholipase produced by the C. albicans isolates from denture wearers in control and Type II and III DS groups was not significantly different, there was statistically significant difference in the number of C. albicans isolates producing phospholipase between patients with and without clinical signs of DS.