Immune response of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis challenged with a symbiotic.

BACKGROUND: There are indications that Th1 polarization of immune response plays an important role in the pathogenesis of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), and that the use of probiotics can stimulate immune regulatory activity, influencing the course of the disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the initial immune profile of RAS patients and evaluate clinical and serological response following a challenge with symbiotic treatment containing fructooligosaccharide, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. METHODS: The immune responses of the 45 patients with RAS, submitted to symbiotic or placebo for 120 days, in relation to 30 RAS-free controls, were evaluated over a period of 6 months. Peripheral blood was collected from all patients at 0 (T0), 120 (T4), and 180 days (T6) after the start of treatment and Th1 (IL12-p70, IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4), Treg (IL-10), Th17 (IL-17A), inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6)-associated cytokines, and clinical parameters were quantified. RESULTS: At T0, significant differences were found in the serological levels of the IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-6 cytokines of the RAS patients in comparison with the controls. It was observed that the cytokine profile of the RAS group was comprised of 2 distinct clusters: a pure Th2 and a Mixed (Th1/Th2) subtype and that symbiotic treatment induced an improvement in pain and an increase in IFN-γ levels, producing a reduction in Th2 response. CONCLUSIONS: In RAS, symbiotic treatment based on a fructooligosaccharide, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium composition produced an alteration in the Th2 serological immune profile in the direction of Th1 and improved pain symptomatology.

Heterotopic gastrointestinal mucosa in the oral cavity of adults.

Heterotopic gastrointestinal mucosa (HGM) is a rare entity observed in the head and neck region and occurs more frequently in male infants and children. The floor of the mouth and anterior aspects of the tongue are the most commonly affected sites. Histologically, HGM resembles gastric, intestinal or colonic mucosa with areas of squamous epithelium, which can be cystic or solid. In the current report, 2 cases of HGM affecting the oral mucosa in patients over 35 years of age are presented, and one of these cases presented 2 nodules in different locations. Both cases represented solid lesions instead of the more common cystic presentation showing gastric glandular-type tissue that was lined with pseudostratified columnar epithelium containing crypts and fundic glands. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive expression of cytokeratins 7, 8 and 18 and smooth muscle actin (SMA). In both cases, the final diagnosis was HGM, and conservative surgical excision was performed.

Caso complexo Dona Margarida

Este caso expõe uma das mais comuns dificuldades apresentadas pelas equipes da Saúde da Família: a organização de visitas domiciliares. Através da situação de uma senhora com demência e quadro de delirium, além de outras demandas clínicas e familiares, o caso possibilita uma boa discussão do tema das visitas, seja pelo médico, dentista ou enfermeiro. Por se tratar de um caso geriátrico, problematiza a Avaliação Global do Idoso como ferramenta de trabalho das equipes. Aponta para a importância do cuidado longitudinal em saúde, além do olhar comunitário para diagnóstico situacional de saúde. Além disso, através do texto de contextualização do caso, exercita-se o registro clínico centrado por problemas, tendo a metodologia SOAP como exemplo. Faz inclusive uma breve introdução sobre o tema dos rastreamentos de doenças, além de desenvolver mais detalhadamente os seguintes temas:

Nevus blanco esponjoso familiar / Family nevus spongiosus albus

El nevus blanco esponjoso (NBE) es una rara condición autosómica dominante, caracterizada por placas blancas bilaterales en la mucosa, de aspecto esponjoso, blandas a la palpación y que pueden escamarse. Los tratamientos son paliativos; y el uso de antibióticos, en especial la tetraciclina, ha demostrando buenos resultados en su control. Este trabajo presenta tres casos clínicos de una familia afectada por NBE, donde se discuten los posibles diagnósticos diferenciales y conductas terapéuticas indicadas. Un paciente masculino de 52 años de edad acudió a la clínica aquejado de lesiones blancas bilaterales. El paciente notó las lesiones 30 años antes, sin lograr un diagnóstico final de las mismas. Después de la anamnesis y del examen clínico fue realizada una biopsia incisional. La reunión de los datos clínicos e histopatológicos llevó al diagnóstico de NBE. Se le solicitó al paciente que indagase entre sus familiares con respecto a lesiones semejantes. Se detectó que el hijo de 19 años y la hija de 25 eran portadores de placas blancas en la mucosa yugal. Como no había afectación estética, se optó por no intervenir en las lesiones. El nevus blanco esponjoso es una lesión genética que debe ser diferenciada de otras patologías localizadas y sistémicas importantes, que tienen repercusiones serias para el individuo. Como no hay un tratamiento curativo para el NBE, el papel del cirujano dentista es diagnosticar esta lesión, aclarar al paciente sobre la naturaleza benigna y autolimitante del NBE y si fuera necesario desde el punto de vista estético, aplicar diferentes modalidades terapéuticas(AU)

The aim of present paper is to introduce three clinical cases from a family affected from nevus spongiosus albus (NSA) and also to discuss the possible differential diagnoses as well as the therapeutical behaviors to be adopted. Clinical case: A man aged 52 seen in our clinic due to bilateral white lesions noted 30 years ago without achieve a final diagnosis of lesions. After anamnesis and physical examination an incision biopsy was taken. The clinical and histopathological data collection allows making the NSA diagnosis. Thus, it was necessary to inquire again into the patient's relatives regarding the existence of similar lesions proving the presence of white plaques in oral mucosa in a son aged 19 and a daughter aged 25. The nevus spongiosus albus is an uncommon genetic lesion that must to be differentiated from other significant localized and systemic pathologies with serious repercussions for the subjects. Since there is not a curative treatment for the NSA, the role of the surgeon-dentist is to diagnose that lesion, to explain clearly to patient on the benign and self-limiting origin of this entity and if it is necessary from the aesthetic point of view, to apply the different therapeutical modalities to control the plaques(AU)

Ulceração aftosa recorrente no Ambulatório de Estomatologia da UNIFESP / Recurrent aphtous stomatitis in Stomatology Clinic UNIFESP (Universidade Federal de São Paulo)

Introdução e objetivo: A ulceração aftosa recorrente (UAR) é uma doença inflamatória bucal crônica de distribuição mundial, cuja prevalência varia entre 5% e 66%, com média de 30%, e continua representando problema clínico sem solução satisfatória. Apesar da etiopatogenia da UAR ainda ser desconhecida, ela é considerada doença multifatorial, na qual componentes genéticos, microbiológicos e imunológicos concorrem simultaneamente ou sequencialmente para o surgimento e evolução das lesões ulcerativas. Alguns fatores são apontados como modificadores ou desencadeantes das UAR, entre eles os mais estudados estão as alterações hormonais, estresse, traumatismos locais e nutricionais (deficiências de vitamina B12, ácido fólico e ferro). O objetivo deste artigo foi delinear o perfil dos pacientes com UAR acompanhados no Ambulatório de Estomatologia da UNIFESP, no período de 1999 a 2009. Foi elaborado um questionário, assim como um banco de dados para coletar e gerenciar as características clínicas da UAR dos pacientes. Resultados: O tipo mais comum de afta era o tipo minor (92%), o sítio de maior acometimento das lesões era a mucosa jugal (21%), seguida pela mucosa labial, 90% dos pacientes eram não fumantes, em 50% dos pacientes encontramos história familiar de UAR e apenas 28% dos pacientes relacionaram o estresse ao surto de aftas. Apenas 45% dos pacientes relataram piora com alimentação. Conclusões: Concluiu-se que os principais fatores associados à ocorrência da UAR foram predisposição familiar e alimentação e de forma negativa o uso do tabaco.

Psychological stress and recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common type of ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa. Despite its worldwide occurrence and the extensive amount of research that has been devoted to the subject, the etiology of RAS remains unclear. Nevertheless, several hereditary, nutritional, infectious and psychological factors have been associated with RAS. The aim of this case-control study was to assess the influence of psychological stress on the manifestation of RAS. METHOD: Fifty patients were enrolled in the trial. Twenty-five RAS patients constituted the study group and another 25 non-RAS patients who were similarly matched for sex, age and socioeconomic status constituted the control group. Each patient was evaluated in terms of the four domains of stress (emotional, physical, social and cognitive) using an internationally validated questionnaire, which was comprised of 59 items and measured the frequency and intensity of stress symptoms. The RAS group was interviewed during an active RAS episode. Completed questionnaires were submitted to proper analytical software and interpreted by an expert psychologist. RESULTS: There was a higher level of psychological stress among RAS group patients when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Psychological stress may play a role in the manifestation of RAS; it may serve as a trigger or a modifying factor rather than being a cause of the disease.

Systemic treatment in severe cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: an open trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the systemic drugs thalidomide, dapsone, colchicine, and pentoxifylline in the treatment of severe manifestations of RAS. METHODS: An open, 4-year clinical trial was carried out for 21 consecutive patients with severe RAS. Initially, patients were given a 2-week course of prednisone to bring them to a baseline status. Simultaneously, one of the four test drugs was assigned to each patient to be taken for a period of 6 months. During the course of the trial, patients were switched to one of the other three drugs whenever side effects or a lack of satisfactory results occurred, and the 6-month limit of the treatment was then reset. RESULTS: The most efficient and best-tolerated drug was thalidomide, which was administered to a total of eight patients and resulted in complete remission in seven (87.5%). Dapsone was prescribed for a total of nine patients, of whom eight (89%) showed improvement in their symptoms, while five showed complete remission. Colchicine was administered to a total of ten patients, with benefits observed in nine (90%), of whom four showed complete remission. Pentoxyfilline was administered to a total of five patients, with benefits observed in three (60%), of whom one patient showed complete remission. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic methods used in this trial provided significant symptom relief. Patients experienced relapses of the lesions; however, this occurred after withdrawal of their medication during the follow-up period.

Systemic treatment in severe cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: an open trial

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the systemic drugs thalidomide, dapsone, colchicine, and pentoxifylline in the treatment of severe manifestations of RAS. METHODS: An open, 4-year clinical trial was carried out for 21 consecutive patients with severe RAS. Initially, patients were given a 2-week course of prednisone to bring them to a baseline status. Simultaneously, one of the four test drugs was assigned to each patient to be taken for a period of 6 months. During the course of the trial, patients were switched to one of the other three drugs whenever side effects or a lack of satisfactory results occurred, and the 6-month limit of the treatment was then reset. RESULTS: The most efficient and best-tolerated drug was thalidomide, which was administered to a total of eight patients and resulted in complete remission in seven (87.5 percent). Dapsone was prescribed for a total of nine patients, of whom eight (89 percent) showed improvement in their symptoms, while five showed complete remission. Colchicine was administered to a total of ten patients, with benefits observed in nine (90 percent), of whom four showed complete remission. Pentoxyfilline was administered to a total of five patients, with benefits observed in three (60 percent), of whom one patient showed complete remission. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic methods used in this trial provided significant symptom relief. Patients experienced relapses of the lesions; however, this occurred after withdrawal of their medication during the follow-up period.

Psychological stress and recurrent aphthous stomatitis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common type of ulcerative disease of the oral mucosa. Despite its worldwide occurrence and the extensive amount of research that has been devoted to the subject, the etiology of RAS remains unclear. Nevertheless, several hereditary, nutritional, infectious and psychological factors have been associated with RAS. The aim of this case-control study was to assess the influence of psychological stress on the manifestation of RAS. METHOD: Fifty patients were enrolled in the trial. Twenty-five RAS patients constituted the study group and another 25 non-RAS patients who were similarly matched for sex, age and socioeconomic status constituted the control group. Each patient was evaluated in terms of the four domains of stress (emotional, physical, social and cognitive) using an internationally validated questionnaire, which was comprised of 59 items and measured the frequency and intensity of stress symptoms. The RAS group was interviewed during an active RAS episode. Completed questionnaires were submitted to proper analytical software and interpreted by an expert psychologist. RESULTS: There was a higher level of psychological stress among RAS group patients when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Psychological stress may play a role in the manifestation of RAS; it may serve as a trigger or a modifying factor rather than being a cause of the disease.