Varicella Zoster Virus and Internal Root Resorption: A Case Report

Acute periapical abscesses in patients with herpes simplex type 1 and herpes zoster

Aim: To assess the prevalence of acute periapical abscesses (PAs) in patients infected with herpes simplex type 1 (HS-1) and herpes zoster (HZ). Materials and methods: Integrated data of hospital patients was used. History of HS-1 and HZ diagnosis was retrieved by searching the appropriate query in the database. All cases were diagnosed for acute PAs by calibrated dentists in a hospital setting for patients admitted to urgent care. Diagnosis was made based on clinical examination and imaging data confirming the diagnosis of acute PAs without sinus tract. The odds ratio (OR) for the prevalence of acute PAs and its association with history of HS-1 and HZ were then calculated. Results: The prevalence of acute PAs in patients with a history HS-1 was 2.43% as compared to 0.59% in the general patient population of the hospital. The OR was 4.12 and the difference in prevalence was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of acute PAs in patients with a history HZ was 2.78% as compared to 0.59% in the general patient population of the hospital. The OR was 4.71 and the difference in prevalence was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Under the conditions of this study, it appears that the prevalence of acute PAs is significantly higher in patients with a history of HS-1 and HZ infections and may warrant an antiviral therapy in certain resistant periapical abscesses.

Spontaneous remission of internal root resorption during orthodontic treatment: A clinical follow-up report

Internal root resorption (IRR) is a pathologic process that occurs because of external stimuli that affect the pulp and result in the loss of dentinal tissue. The occurrence of IRR is considered relatively rare, and the etiology is not fully understood, although trauma is believed to be the main etiologic agent. The current study presented a case report of spontaneous remission of an IRR lesion diagnosed during orthodontic treatment. The lesion was characterized by a circular and delimited radiolucent image, located in the apical third of the root canal of the maxillary right lateral incisor diagnosed during orthodontic treatment. After the diagnosis, clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed without any intervention. The follow-up radiographic images showed loss of contour definition and reduction in the size of the lesion. At the end of orthodontic treatment, 27 months after diagnosis, the space of the lesion had been filled by tissue with similar radiopacity to the adjacent dentin, and the tooth did not change its color and response to mechanical and thermal stimuli. Eight years after the end of the treatment, the maxillary right lateral incisor still presented normal responses to vitality tests and color stability; therefore, it was impossible to notice the root canal space. The reported patient presents a possible behavior of the IRR characterized by spontaneous remission of the lesion. However, nonendodontic treatment after diagnosis should not be the routine therapy adopted for IRR because of the potential risk to the tooth.

A Bioinformatics Systems Biology Analysis of the Current Oral Proteomic Biomarkers and Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment of External Root Resorption

External root resorption (ERR) is a silent destructive phenomenon detrimental to dental health. ERR may have multiple etiologies such as infection, inflammation, traumatic injuries, pressure, mechanical stimulations, neoplastic conditions, systemic disorders, or idiopathic causes. Often, if undiagnosed and untreated, ERR can lead to the loss of the tooth or multiple teeth. Traditionally, clinicians have relied on radiographs and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for the diagnosis of ERR; however, these techniques are not often precise or definitive and may require exposure of patients to more ionizing radiation than necessary. To overcome these shortcomings, there is an immense need to develop non-invasive approaches such as biomarker screening methods for rapid and precise diagnosis for ERR. In this review, we performed a literature survey for potential salivary or gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) proteomic biomarkers associated with ERR and analyzed the potential pathways leading to ERR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first proteomics biomarker survey that connects ERR to body biofluids which represents a novel approach to diagnose and even monitor treatment progress for ERR.

Retrospective evaluation of endodontic case reports published in the International Endodontic Journal and the Journal of Endodontics for their compliance with the PRICE 2020 guidelines

AIM

To evaluate, retrospectively, the quality of previously published case reports in Endodontics according to the PRICE 2020 guidelines.

METHODOLOGY

An electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed database on 12 March 2020, to identify case reports published during the last five years in the International Endodontic Journal and the Journal of Endodontics. For each of the included case reports, information regarding fulfilment of each of the items of the PRICE 2020 guidelines was extracted as '0' (not present in the manuscript), '1' (present in the manuscript) and 'NA' (not applicable) and translated into a score (percentage of items fulfilled). Additionally, the percentage of papers fulfilling each item was calculated.

RESULTS

Overall, 70 endodontic case reports were identified. The scores of the papers ranged between 56.41% and 79.55%, with a mean score of 70.26 ± 4.36% (SD). The percentage of papers fulfilling each item of the applicable PRICE 2020 items ranged widely, between 0% and 100%. The median of the percentage of all the items (n = 47) was 97.01% and mean 73.33 ± 36.28% (SD). The lowest scores were recorded for specific items in the following domains: 'Case Report Information'-Items 6c, 6g-i, 'Patient Perspective'-Item 8a and 'Quality of Images'-Items 12c-d.

CONCLUSIONS

Several areas with low reporting rates were identified in case reports published over the last 5 years in Endodontics. Authors should be encouraged to follow the PRICE 2020 guidelines in order to increase the quality and improve reproducibility of their case reports.

Varicella infection in the Middle East: Prevalence, complications, and vaccination

Varicella (chickenpox) is the primary infection of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), it is a mild self-limiting infection, but it is also highly contagious and can cause severe complications among high-risk group of individuals. It is usually a childhood infection providing lifelong immunity, but adults without varicella history are also susceptible to infection. High-risk group of individuals is more likely to develop serious complications. Varicella vaccine was introduced to protect this group of individuals and to prevent epidemic spread of VZV infection in a community. Thus, it was added to the recommended vaccination schedules for children in most developed countries. This review aimed to outline varicella status, seroprevalence, complications, and vaccination in the Middle East region. Based on our findings, children were the most affected age group, but there are also adult cases due to high number of expatriates, especially in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Central nervous system involvements and skin diseases followed by varicella pneumonia were the most varicella-associated complications. Varicella vaccine was introduced in most Middle East countries, either mandatory by the Ministries of Health or optional in the private clinics. Few numbers of studies have reported an obvious reduction in varicella prevalence, hospitalizations, and deaths in the Middle East following varicella vaccination. A basic database about varicella infection before the initiation and implementation of a vaccination policy is essential to determine the target group of individuals. As far as our knowledge, this is the first review about varicella infection in the Middle East.