Comparative evaluation of vegetable matter involved lesions with oral parasitic infections in the oral cavity.

The current research aims to perform a comparative evaluation of vegetable matter involved lesions with oral parasitic infections found in oral mucosa, presenting histochemical methods to differentiate their microscopic similarities. Eight cases were selected out of a sample of 1.975 reports from a single Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Service of the author's institution from 2012 to 2019. Specimens were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, Gomori-Grocott staining, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, Giemsa, and mucicarmine staining. Microscopic analysis included fluorescence, polarized light, and confocal microscopy. Microscopically, in HE coloration, hookworm eggs showed as eosinophilic. Inflammatory multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes, were usually related to the nematode eggs, forming an intense inflammatory infiltrate. Biofluorescent properties of eggs and larvae revealed to be sensitive in the detection of parasitic structures contrasting with the inflamed connective tissue. Vegetable presence was confirmed by polarized light microscopy and it was found to be associated with microbial biofilms. Confocal microscopy has showed to be an excellent method for morphotype differentiation of parasitic eggs. Parasitic infection and vegetable matter displayed similarities in the inflammatory response, but the latter can rot and agglomerate biofilms. The microscopic diagnosis of such infections requires the interpretation of challenging morphological features since the parasites are usually sectioned and mixed with an inflammatory reaction. These histochemical approaches proved to be excellent to distinguish both lesions.

Disfunções orofaciais em pacientes infantojuvenis com leucemia aguda / Orofacial dysfunctions in infants and young children with acute leukemia

RESUMO Objetivo Identificar a ocorrência de disfunções orofaciais em pacientes infantojuvenis com leucemia aguda, submetidos à quimioterapia de remissão. Métodos Em um período de 16 meses, 40 pacientes com leucemias agudas, entre 3 e 18 anos de idade, foram admitidos em um hemocentro no estado do Amazonas. Destes, 23 foram incluídos neste estudo transversal e submetidos à avaliação das funções orofaciais, por meio do Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S), entre o trigésimo (D30) e o trigésimo terceiro dia (D33) da fase de indução da remissão. A presença de manifestações orais também foi avaliada por meio de exame clínico. Resultados Disfunção orofacial foi observada em, aproximadamente, metade dos casos avaliados (n=11). Destes pacientes, todos tiveram o domínio Secura de Boca (VI) alterado e 81,8% (n=9) apresentaram alteração no domínio Mastigação e Deglutição (IV). Mucosites em lábios, língua, soalho e orofaringe foram as lesões orais mais encontradas após a fase de indução. Houve associação entre a ocorrência de lesões orais nos pacientes avaliados e a presença de disfunção orofacial, segundo o NOT-S (IC 95%, p-valor = 0,027). Conclusão Sugere-se que a disfunção orofacial seja frequente na fase de indução da remissão em pacientes infantojuvenis com leucemias agudas. Estudos sobre as disfunções orofaciais nessa população, bem como sua relação com as lesões orais são necessários para melhor esclarecimento e compreensão dos impactos funcionais.

ABSTRACT Purpose To Identify the occurrence of orofacial dysfunctions in young children and adolescents with acute leukemia who are undergoing remission chemotherapy. Methods Over a period of 16 months, 40 three to eighteen year -old patients with acute leukemia were admitted to the Amazonas State Hemocenter. Of these, 23 were included in the cross-sectional study and submitted to the evaluation of orofacial functions using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening, between D30 and D33 of the remission induction phase. The presence of oral manifestations was also evaluated via clinical examination. Results Orofacial dysfunction was observed in approximately half of the evaluated cases (n=11). Of these patients, all had alterations in the Dryness of the Mouth (VI) domain and 81.8% (n=9) showed alterations in the Chewing and Swallowing (IV) domain. Mucosites on lips, tongue, floor of the mouth and the oropharynx were the most commonly found oral lesions after the remission induction phase. According to the NOT-S, there was an association between the occurrence of oral lesions in the evaluated patients and the presence of orofacial dysfunction (95% CI, p-value = 0.027). Conclusion It is suggested that orofacial dysfunction is frequent in the remission induction phase in children and adolescents with acute leukemia. Studies regarding these orofacial dysfunctions in this population, as well as their relationship with oral lesions, are needed in order to fully understand their functional impact.

Scorpion envenoming caused by Tityus cf. silvestris evolving with severe muscle spasms in the Brazilian Amazon.

Scorpion stings are a public health problem in the Brazilian Amazon. However, detailed clinical characterization with the proper animal identification is scarce. Here we report a confirmed case of envenoming by Tityus cf. silvestris in the Brazilian Amazon. The case evolved with generalized muscle spasms and was treated with antivenom and supportive therapy, requiring intensive care unit admission. The patient evolved favourably and was discharged after 9 days of hospitalization.