Knowledge and Apprehension of Dental Patients about MERS-A Questionnaire Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a disease caused by beta corona virus. From April 11(th) to 9(th) June 2014, World Health Organization (WHO) reported a total of 402 laboratory confirmed cases of MERS from KSA, out of which 132 cases were reported from Riyadh alone. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and apprehension of patients about MERS visiting Al Farabi College of Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted which consisted of 10 self-prepared questions. A total of 404 patients participated in this study. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty patients had heard about MERS. Nearly a quarter of the patients (25.74%) were apprehensive about undergoing dental treatment because of MERS. A little more than half of the patients (50.99%) knew that camel was a source of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Corona virus. Most of the patients (80.72%) were aware of the infection control measures to be followed by dentist and 138 patients claimed they took some precaution when present inside the dental college. CONCLUSION: Majority of the patients had heard about MERS and was aware of the infection control measures. However, some patients were apprehensive about undergoing dental treatment because of MERS. Further steps need to be taken to educate the patient's about transmission of MERS and infection control measures in a dental hospital.

Immunohistochemical expression of p16 in pleomorphic salivary adenoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize alteration in the immunohistochemical expression of p16 in normal tissue of the salivary gland surrounding pleomorphic adenoma, and the tumor cells of pleomorphic adenomas. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A selected series of 120 cases of pleomorphic adenomas were examined. RESULTS: The results showed that p16 expression in non tumor duct cells was strong positive nuclear staining in 98 (81.6%) cases out of 120, while there were 20 (16.6%) with moderate staining, and 2 (1.6%) with weak staining in the components of normal tissue of the salivary gland surrounding pleomorphic adenoma. p16 expression in pleomorphic adenomas showed 71 (59.1%) cases with moderate nuclear staining in the duct cells, 45 (37.5%) cases with nuclear weak staining, and 4 (3.3%) cases with negative staining. p16 nuclear staining in myxochondroid tissue was identified in 4 (3.3%) cases with strong staining, 65 (54.1%) cases had moderate staining, and 51 (42.5%) cases had weak staining. CONCLUSION: This study suggests alteration of p16 expression in pleomorphic adenomas. P16 might have a role in the development of pleomorphic adenoma.