The use of ketotifen as long-term anti-inflammatory prophylaxis in children with PFAPA syndrome

Introduction

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) is the most frequent periodic fever syndrome in children. Its pathogenesis is still unknown, but some disease-modifying factors were observed. Several medications were tested for the long-term prophylaxis of inflammatory flares; however, none are standardly used.

Methods

This prospective clinical trial enrolled 142 children (71 girls, 50%) meeting diagnostic criteria for PFAPA syndrome. We analysed selected clinical characteristics and compared laboratory parameters during the flare and attack-free period (at least two weeks after the attack). Moreover, we assessed the possible therapeutic effect of ketotifen on the duration of attack free-periods and clinical picture.

Results

The mean age of patients was 6.81 ± 3.03 years and the mean age of onset of symptoms was 2.31 ± 2.02 years. No significant differences were observed between genders.We recorded a positive family history for PFAPA in 31.69% of patients. Attacks lasted for 2.8 ± 1.2 days, with intervals between attacks of 4 ± 1 weeks. We administered ketotifen in 111 (77.8%) patients, and a positive effect was observed in 86 (77.5%) of patients. We observed prolonged attack-free intervals in patients treated with ketotifen (14.7 ± 8.9 days in comparison with 4.4 ± 1.9 days before the treatment; p<0.001). The used dose of ketotifen was 0.08 ± 0.01 mg/kg/day. Mild side effects were observed in four patients (restlessness, irritability, agitation and constipation).

Discussion

Our data supports the use of ketotifen for long-term prophylaxis in children with PFAPA syndrome with positive effects on the attenuation of disease activity and the prolongation of attack-free periods. Further well-designed studies should confirm the preliminary data.

Adult-onset Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis and Cervical Adenitis Syndrome Responsive to Colchicine

We herein report a rare case of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome that occurred in an 18-year-old man. He visited our hospital with recurrent episodes of a fever, pharyngitis and adenitis without suggestive findings of infection. These episodes resolved within 5 days and recurred quite regularly, with an interval of about 30 days. As the febrile episodes significantly impaired his quality of life, he was treated with colchicine (0.5 mg) as prophylaxis. This completely prevented the episodes during six months of follow-up. Colchicine may therefore be effective in cases of adult-onset PFAPA syndrome.

Gray zone in the spectrum of autoinflammatory diseases: familial Mediterranean fever accompanying periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome: single-center experience

Despite the advanced knowledge concerning autoinflammatory diseases (AID), more data regarding the optimal treatment options and outcomes of the children who met the criteria of more than one AID are required. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of children from familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)-endemic countries who meet both the FMF and the periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome criteria. Moreover, we aimed to measure the response rates to colchicine and tonsillectomy and evaluate the factors affecting the colchicine response in these patients. The study was conducted at pediatric rheumatology tertiary centre. A total of 131 patients (58 females; 73 males) who met both the modified Marshall and pediatric FMF criteria were included. The median age at onset was 18 months (1-77 months), and the mean age at diagnosis was 47 ± 21.88 months. The median interval between episodes was 21 (7-90) days. The median disease duration was 46 (6-128) months. Consanguineous marriage was detected in 17 (13%) of the patients. The most common clinical finding was fever (100%), followed by exudative pharyngitis (88.5%), abdominal pain (86.3%), arthralgia (61.8%), stomatitis (51.1%), adenitis (42%), myalgia (28.7%), chest pain (16%), maculopapular rash (12.2%), arthritis (8.4%), and erysipelas-like rash (4.6%). MEFV gene variants were identified in 106 (80.9%) patients. The most common variants were M694V heterozygous (29%). We found that patients with tonsillopharyngitis, aphthous stomatitis, and PFAPA family history were more likely to be colchicine-resistant and tonsillectomy responsive, while those with exon 10 MEFV gene mutations were more prone to have a favorable response to colchicine.     Conclusion: PFAPA syndrome patients with exon 10 MEFV gene mutation, showing typical FMF symptoms, should be treated with colchicine, even after tonsillectomy. In multivariate analysis, PFAPA family history and lack of exon 10 MEFV gene mutations were independent risk factors for colchicine resistance. Thus, tonsillectomy may be recommended as a possible treatment option for these patients. It has yet to be clarified when colchicine treatment will be discontinued in patients whose attacks ceased after tonsillectomy that was performed due to colchicine unresponsiveness. What is Known: • A certain number of patients with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome concomitantly fulfill the familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) criteria. • While colchicine is proposed as a first treatment choice in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), corticosteroids are recommended as a first-line treatment in PFAPA syndrome patients. What is New: • In patients with concomitant PFAPA syndrome and FMF, PFAPA family history and lack of exon 10 MEFV gene mutation are predictive factors of colchicine resistance. • The presence of exon 10 MEFV gene mutations in patients with concomitant FMF and PFAPA syndrome has a favourable effect on response to colchicine treatment.

Evaluation of the Levels of Blood Cells, Vitamin D, and Inflammatory Factors in Children with PFAPA Syndrome

BACKGROUND

The syndrome of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA syndrome) is the most common type of recurrent fever in childhood. The aim of this study was evaluation of the levels of blood cells, vitamin D, and inflammatory factors in children with PFAPA syndrome.

METHODS

This retrospective descriptive study was conducted on the recorded information of children with PFAPA syndrome referred to the children's specialty clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam city from March 2021 to February 2022. Complete demographic information, presence of underlying disease, changes in blood cells, vitamin D level and inflammatory factors were obtained from the patients' records. Diagnosis of PFAPA syndrome was performed according to Thomas' criteria.

RESULTS

This study was conducted on 40 children with PFAPA syndrome. The majority of patients were male and in the age range of 3 - 4 years. The results show that the average percentage of neutrophil and lymphocyte cells in the blood of patients was 54.45% and 40.62%, respectively. Also, 6 (15%), 3 (7.5%), and 31 (77.5%) patients had normal neutrophil levels, neutropenia, and neutrophilia, respectively. Regarding lymphocyte cells, 26 (65%), 8 (20%), and 6 (15%) people had normal lymphocyte level, lymphocytosis and lymphopenia, respectively. ESR levels increased in all patients (average percentage: 16.72). CRP level was negative in 9 (22.5%) and +1 in 19 (47.5%) patients, respectively. The results showed that 33 (82.5%) patients were deficient in vitamin D level.

CONCLUSIONS

The etiology and pathogenesis of PFAPA is still unknown; however, the rapid response to corticosteroid therapy is the indication of an immune deregulation. Treatment guidelines for PFAPA syndrome based on controlled studies are needed, as well as a better understanding of the disease itself.

TNFRSF1A-pR92Q variant identifies a subset of patients more similar to systemic undifferentiated recurrent fever than TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome

OBJECTIVES

To describe the clinical phenotype and response to treatment of autoinflammatory disease (AID) patients with the TNFRSF1A-pR92Q variant compared to patients with tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) due to pathogenic mutations in the same gene and patients diagnosed with other recurrent fever syndromes including periodic fever with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) and syndrome of undefined recurrent fever (SURF).

METHODS

Clinical data from pR92Q variant associated AID, classical TRAPS, PFAPA and SURF patients were obtained from the Eurofever registry, an international, multicentre registry enabling retrospective collection of data on AID patients.

RESULTS

In this study, 361 patients were enrolled, including 77 pR92Q variant, 72 classical TRAPS, 152 PFAPA and 60 SURF patients. pR92Q carriers had an older age of disease onset than classical TRAPS and PFAPA patients. Compared to pR92Q variant patients, classical TRAPS patients had more relatives affected and were more likely to have migratory rash and AA-amyloidosis. Despite several differences in disease characteristics and symptoms between pR92Q variant and PFAPA patients, part of the pR92Q variant patients experienced PFAPA-like symptoms. pR92Q variant and SURF patients showed a comparable clinical phenotype. No major differences were observed in response to treatment between the four patient groups. Steroids were most often prescribed and effective in the majority of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with AID carrying the TNFRSF1A-pR92Q variant behave more like SURF patients and differ from patients diagnosed with classical TRAPS and PFAPA in clinical phenotype. Hence, they should no longer be diagnosed as having TRAPS and management should differ accordingly.

PFAPA syndrome in children

ABSTRACT

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is, as the name implies, characterized by an extremely regular cycle of fevers that is accompanied by one or more other symptoms such as oral ulcers, pharyngitis, adenitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, cervical adenopathy, and headache. Originally known as Marshall syndrome, PFAPA is most commonly identified in children younger than age 5 years; however, adults may also present with the disease, though they may report additional symptoms. PFAPA is now understood to be a diagnosis of exclusion. Laboratory studies are typically unremarkable except for increases in acute phase reactants such as C-reactive protein. Treatment is primarily supportive and most frequently uses systemic steroids to suppress the inflammatory response. Acute flares are self-limited, and the syndrome typically resolves on its own as the child reaches age 7 or 8 years.

Immune-mediated oral mucosal pathology: a comprehensive review and update for clinicians. Part I

The oral mucosa can be involved in a wide variety of mucocutaneous conditions that may present primarily in the mouth or affect other cutaneous or mucosal sites. Many of these conditions are immune mediated and typically present as inflammatory mucosal pathology. Patients experiencing such conditions usually seek medical evaluation and treatment due to the associated pain and discomfort and occasionally taste disturbance or dysphagia and the overall deterioration in the oral health-related quality of life. These conditions share some common features and there could be some overlapping in their clinical presentation, which can lead to delays in diagnosis and proper management of patients. Clinicians dealing with such disorders, including dermatologists, need to be aware of the oral manifestations of mucocutaneous conditions, their clinical features, underlying mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options, as well as the recent advances in the research on these conditions. This review provides a comprehensive, evidence-based reference for clinicians, with updated insights into a group of immune mediated conditions known to cause oral mucosal pathology. Part one will cover oral lichen planus, erythema multiforme and systemic lupus erythematosus, while part two will cover pemphigus vulgaris and mucous membrane pemphigoid, recurrent aphthous stomatitis, in addition to the less common disorders linear IgA disease, dermatitis herpetiformis and epidermolysis bullosa.

[Marshall syndrome]

MARSHALL SYNDROME. Marshall syndrome also known as PFAPA syndrome belongs to the group of autoinflammatory diseases. The acronym reflects the main clinical features of the disease: periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis. It is the most common autoinflammatory disease, beginning between 1 and 5 years of age. There is little or no impact on growth, but the recurrence of febrile seizures can compromise the quality of life of patients. Clinical diagnosis meets positive and exclusion criteria. Putting it correctly allows a reassuring framework of care and avoids many unnecessary antibiotic treatments. Corticosteroid therapy is the reference treatment for the crisis. Tonsillectomy associated with adenoidectomy can be discussed but is not systematically recommended in this pathology, which is generally benign and most often heals spontaneously with age.

[Recurrent aphthous stomatitis]

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common clinical disease of the oral mucosa. Its prevalence in the general population varies between 5 and 25%, with its peak appearance in the second decade of life. So far, the etiopathogenesis is not clear. In genetically predisposed patients, the effect of certain triggering factors would initiate the proinflammatory cytokine cascade directed against certain regions of the oral mucosa. Ulcers are round or oval with well-defined erythematous margins and a shallow ulcerated center covered with a gray or yellowish fibrinous pseudomembrane. The ulcers may reappear at intervals of a few days and months. Given the appearance of periodic thrush in the oral mucosa, the first thing to do is to make a correct differential diagnosis, rule out associated systemic diseases and assess treatable causes before reaching the diagnosis of RAS. At present, there is no curative treatment.

Extreme Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, Adenitis (PFAPA): a discrete group of patients

OBJECTIVE

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is the most common periodic fever syndrome in children; by definition, episodes occur every 2 to 8 weeks. However, in a subset of our patients, we noticed a higher frequency of attacks, of less than 2 weeks, which we refer to as extreme PFAPA (ePFAPA). This group consisted of patients who were extreme upon presentation of PFAPA, and those who became extreme after initiation of abortive corticosteroid treatment. We aimed to characterize demographic and clinical features of ePFAPA, including the two groups, and to compare them to patients with non-extreme PFAPA (nPFAPA).

STUDY DESIGN

The medical records of 365 patients with PFAPA who attended Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel from March 2014 to April 2021 were reviewed. Patients with concomitant familial Mediterranean fever were excluded. Characteristics of the ePFAPA (including subgroups) and nPFAPA groups were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum, Pearson's chi-squared, and Fisher's exact tests.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (12.9%) were identified as having ePFAPA. Among patients with ePFAPA, compared to patients with nPFAPA, the median (interquartile range) age at disease onset was earlier: 1.5 years (0.7-2.5) vs. 2.5 years (1.5-4.0), P < 0.001; and diagnosis was younger: 2.6 years (2.0-3.6) vs. 4.5 years (3.0-6.2), P < 0.001. A higher proportion of patients with ePFAPA than nPFAPA were treated with colchicine prophylaxis (53% vs. 19%, P < 0.001), but symptoms and signs during flares did not differ significantly between these groups. Demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between patients with ePFAPA from presentation of PFAPA (22, 47% of those with ePFAPA) and ePFAPA from after corticosteroid treatment.

CONCLUSION

About half the patients categorized with ePFAPA syndrome already had extreme features upon presentation. Patients with ePFAPA compared to nPFAPA presented and were diagnosed at an earlier age.

Platelet indices as a predictor in the differentiation of Behçet's disease from recurrent aphthous stomatitis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate complete blood count parameters in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) who present with oral ulcers and patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in order to determine whether they could be used as discriminatory biomarkers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2023. The study population consisted of three groups: patients with BD who had oral ulcer manifestation (n=85, BD-Group), patients with idiopathic RAS (n=186, RAS-Group) and healthy controls (n=90, HC-Group). All data about participants, on their first application, including sociodemographic and clinical data, comorbidity status, laboratory results were collected retrospectively from the hospital computer records and patients' charts.

RESULTS

The groups were similar in terms of age (p=0.235) and sex distribution (p=0.450). Mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit values of the BD-Group were significantly lower, while platelet distribution width (PDW) was significantly higher, compared to the other two groups (p<0.001 for all). Low MPV (<9.15) (56.47% sensitivity and 90.86% specificity), high PDW (≥15.75) (75.00% sensitivity and 94.96% specificity) and low plateletcrit (<0.237) (55.29% sensitivity and 79.46% specificity) could significantly distinguish BD patients with oral ulcer onset from patients with RAS.

CONCLUSIONS

PDW, MPV, and plateletcrit may be useful biomarkers in the differential diagnosis of oral ulcers when distinguishing between BD and RAS. However, these results need to be supported by further comprehensive studies.

Adamantiades-Behçet disease: Between dermatology and ophthalmology

Adamantiades-Behçet disease is an inflammatory, vascular disease of unknown etiology. The disease is named after two physicians, Benediktos Adamantiades and Hulȗsi Behçet, who both made significant contributions to the study of the disease. It was probably first described by Hippocrates in 500 BCE. Adamantiades-Behçet disease is most common in the region encompassing the ancient trade route known as the Silk Road. In Turkey, the disease is estimated to affect 80 to 370 people per 100,000 inhabitants, and it is also the country with the highest incidence rate. The frequency of the disease associated with the clinical picture differs from the origin of the onset. The disease is characterized by recurrent aphthous ulcers of the mouth, genitals, skin lesions, and eye lesions. The disease process can also involve other organs, including the joints, nervous system, large vessels, heart, and gastrointestinal tract. Aphthous oral ulcers appear as the first harbinger of the disease and affect almost all patients (97%-99%). The scientific interest in Adamantiades-Behçet disease has increased exponentially in the past decade.

Diagnostic performance of routine blood parameters in periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome

BACKGROUND

We aimed to investigate the difference between PFAPA and streptococcal tonsillitis (Strep Pharyngitis) by using blood parameters. We want to evaluate the relationship between periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome, and tonsillitis by using NLR.

METHODS

The data of 141 pediatric patients who had applied to our clinic between October 2016 and March 2019 and were diagnosed with PFAPA syndrome and tonsillitis were reviewed from hospital records. The demographic data of the study group were recorded, as were their WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, NLR, and MPV values, which are obtained by proportioning these two counts.

RESULTS

CRP and ESR values were significantly higher in the PFAPA group (p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was determined between the groups in terms of platelet count or lymphocyte count. Receiver operating curve analyses were calculated. The AUC was 0.713 ± 0.04 according to age, and the CRP was 0.607 ± 0.04 (95% confidence interval). Using a cutoff point of >49 months for age, the sensitivity was 0.71 and the specificity was 0.67.

CONCLUSION

With simple laboratory parameters, PFAPA syndrome can be differentiated from a diagnosis of tonsillitis. This may reduce the costs associated with unnecessary antibiotic use. However, these findings still need to be confirmed by other future studies.

Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis Syndrome and Syndrome of Unexplained Recurrent Fevers in Children and Adults

Children and adults with autoinflammatory disorders, who often experience recurrent fevers, rashes, cold-induced symptoms, conjunctivitis, lymphadenopathy, recurrent infections, aphthous stomatitis, and abnormal blood cell counts, may present to the allergist/immunologist because the symptoms mimic allergies and disorders of immunity. In recent years, there has been increased recognition of non-monogenic autoinflammatory disorders, including periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome and syndrome of undifferentiated recurrent fevers. For many clinical practitioners, the natural history, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, and preferred therapies remain challenging because of the presumed rarity of patients and the evolving field of autoinflammation. Here, we aim to provide a practical framework for the clinical allergist/immunologist to evaluate and treat this patient population.

Acute Immune-Mediated Lesions of the Oral Cavity

Although acute immune-mediated lesions of the oral cavity (AIML) can have an onset over several months, they often demonstrate rapid onset and can be self-limited. Despite the self-limiting nature of some disorders, patients with AIML can have significant pain and multisystem involvement. It is vital for the oral health care provider to arrive at the proper diagnosis with distinction from overlapping conditions, as the oral manifestations may be harbingers of more serious systemic complications.

Oral manifestations serve as potential signs of ulcerative colitis: A review

As an immune dysregulation-related disease, although ulcerative colitis (UC) primarily affects the intestinal tract, extraintestinal manifestations of the disease are evident, particularly in the oral cavity. Herein, we have reviewed the various oral presentations, potential pathogenesis, and treatment of oral lesions related to UC. The oral manifestations of UC include specific and nonspecific manifestations, with the former including pyostomatitis vegetans and the latter encompassing recurrent aphthous ulcers, atrophic glossitis, burning mouth syndrome, angular cheilitis, dry mouth, taste change, halitosis, and periodontitis. Although the aetiology of UC has not been fully determined, the factors leading to its development include immune system dysregulation, dysbiosis, and malnutrition. The principle of treating oral lesions in UC is to relieve pain, accelerate the healing of lesions, and prevent secondary infection, and the primary procedure is to control intestinal diseases. Systemic corticosteroids are the preferred treatment options, besides, topical and systemic administration combined with dietary guidance can also be applied. Oral manifestations of UC might accompany or precede the diagnosis of UC, albeit with the absence of intestinal symptoms; therefore, oral lesions, especially pyostomatitis vegetans, recurrent aphthous ulcer and periodontitis, could be used as good mucocutaneous signs to judge the occurrence and severity of UC, thus facilitating the early diagnosis and treatment of UC and avoiding severe consequences, such as colon cancer.

Challenges in the diagnosis of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome in developing countries—A decade of experience from North India

Background

Reports of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome from developing countries are sparse. Recognizing PFAPA is often challenging in these regions due to a higher incidence of infectious illnesses and significant resource constraints. Herein, we present our experience from North India regarding the diagnosis and management of PFAPA syndrome.

Methods

We reviewed cases of non-monogenic periodic fever syndrome diagnosed at our center from January 2011 to December 2021. A total of 17 children who fulfilled the Marshall criteria for PFAPA syndrome were included. Data regarding basic clinical features, treatment/outcome, and performance of the recently proposed Eurofever/PRINTO and Takeuchi criteria were analyzed.

Results

Besides recurrent fever, the triad of oral aphthae, pharyngitis, and adenitis was noted in only 18% of patients. Episodes of exudative pharyngitis/tonsillitis were documented in 24%. These figures were lower than the values reported from developed countries. The Takeuchi and Eurofever/PRINTO criteria were fulfilled in 76% and 71% cases, respectively. In addition to antipyretics and supportive care, intermittent steroid therapy was the main treatment modality used. Additional treatment with colchicine (n = 3) and thalidomide (n = 1) was used successfully in a few patients. Before the diagnosis of PFAPA, all patients had received multiple courses of antimicrobials (without microbiological confirmation). These included multiple courses of antibacterials for fever, pharyngotonsillitis, and/or cervical adenitis in all patients and antivirals for fever and aphthous stomatitis in a patient. Empiric antitubercular therapy had also been administered in two patients.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of patients with PFAPA seem to remain undiagnosed in the Indian subcontinent. Increased awareness and improvement in basic healthcare facilities are crucial in enhancing the recognition of PFAPA, which would eliminate the unprecedented scale of undesirable antimicrobial use in such children.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS): guideline for differential diagnosis and management

AIM

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a painful and common ulcerative form that can pose a diagnostic challenge. In fact, similar oral ulcers can appear secondary to a variety of well-defined pathological conditions. Thus, the purpose of this work was to update the current knowledge about RAS METHODS: A narrative review is presented aiming to clarify the extensive differential diagnosis of RAS and its management.

CONCLUSION

As a first aid in relieving the pain, topical applications of corticosteroids, antibiotics, and analgesics are highly recommended, while systemic therapy of RAS should be used in the case of multiple painful ulcerations compromising the quality of life of the patient. Also, natural anti-inflammatory substances from medicinal herbs, in the form of essential oils and extracts are promising agents in the management of RAS.

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis syndrome (PFAPA) or recurrent urinary tract infections: a case report

BACKGROUND

Fever is the most frequent reason for medical consultation in children, and makes up 15-25% of all consultations in primary care and emergency departments. In here we report a case of a 13 year-old girl who referred with an unusual presentation of fever and was misdiagnosed with recurrent urinary tract infection for 8 years.

CASE PRESENTATION

This is a Clinical Reasoning Cycle case study. A 13 year-old girl was referred with a chief complaint of recurrent fevers from 8 years. During her first febrile episode, she had a 5-day high-grade fever associated with loss of appetite. Her physical examination at that time was unremarkable. Blood tests showed leukocytosis with a shift to the left and urine examination was in favor of pyuria. The urine culture was positive for bacterial growth. The episodes of fever were repeated every 45 days. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed as a case of recurrent urinary tract infection. In the intervals between her febrile episodes, the patient was healthy and laboratory tests were normal. Ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrogram and dimercaptosuccinic acid scans were normal. During her last visit, the patient mentioned difficulty in swallowing and on examination cervical lymph nodes, exudative tonsillitis and painful aphthous stomatitis were detected. All antibiotics were stopped and corticosteroids were started. The patient's symptoms were relieved and the interval between her febrile episodes became longer.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that a patient should never be marked, particularly when the symptom and signs aren't completely justifying a patient's condition.

[Experience of using bacteriophages in the complex treatment of children with aphthous stomatitis]

Aphthous stomatitis (AS) is one of the most common diseases of the oral mucosa in children. A significant role in the pathogenesis of AS is assigned to the infectious-allergic factor.

THE AIM

Of the work was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of topical application of bacteriophages in the complex treatment of children with aphthous stomatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main group included 30 children with AS aged 4 to 15 years. The control group consisted of 20 healthy children without AS and without concomitant somatic pathology at the age of 4 to 15 years. The effectiveness of the therapy was evaluated based on the results of repeated bacteriological examination of the oral microflora, conducted 1 month after phage treatment, as well as the dynamics of clinical manifestations: reduction in size or complete epithelization of defects.

RESULTS

The use of bacteriophage in the complex treatment of children with AS was accompanied by positive dynamics of clinical and laboratory parameters in all patients: a significant decrease in microbial contamination and the number of individual pathogenic microflora species against the background of normalization of local microbiocenosis in the oral cavity.

CONCLUSION

The obtained clinical and laboratory data allowed improving the scheme of complex treatment of AS in children by the use of bacteriophages.

Lingual Tonsillectomy: Successful Treatment of Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Cervical Adenitis Syndrome

BACKGROUND

PFAPA (periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenitis) syndrome is diagnosed clinically. Adult-onset PFAPA syndrome is rare and often has a more diverse clinical presentation that its childhood counterpart. This is the first reported case of adult-onset PFAPA syndrome with complete response to lingual tonsillectomy.

CASE SUMMARY

A 41-year-old man was evaluated for periodic fevers associated with uvulitis, cervical lymphadenitis, pharyngitis, and lower extremity rash. He had a variable response to steroids and was intolerant of colchicine. Laboratory workup revealed intermittent elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level. Computed tomography neck and laryngoscopy confirmed adenoidal and lingual tonsillar hypertrophy. He underwent adenoidectomy and lingual tonsillectomy with resolution of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertrophy of the remaining lymphoid structures within Waldeyer's ring may be associated with remote recurrence of PFAPA syndrome after tonsillectomy. Lingual tonsillectomy may be an alternative treatment strategy in select patients with PFAPA, prominent lingual hypertrophy, and incomplete response to steroids.

A Case of Cyclic Neutropenia and Associated Amyloidosis

Cyclic neutropenia has been rarely associated with chronic inflammation and development of reactive AA amyloidosis. We report a family with cyclic neutropenia with associated renal and thyroid amyloid. A 12-year-old female presented with thyromegaly, recurrent aphthous ulcers, severe neutropenia, and renal failure. Renal and thyroid biopsies revealed abundant amyloid deposition. Presence of a heterozygous ELANE c.358 A>T gene mutation p.I120F variant with autosomal dominant inheritance confirmed the diagnosis of cyclic neutropenia. The patient's father also had neutropenia and amyloidosis with renal failure. We started filgrastim to attenuate neutropenia and thereby reduce chronic inflammation and minimize further amyloid deposition.

Undifferentiated recurrent fevers in pediatrics are clinically distinct from PFAPA syndrome but retain an IL-1 signature

Autoinflammatory disorders of the innate immune system present with recurrent episodes of inflammation often beginning in early childhood. While there are now more than 30 genetically-defined hereditary fever disorders, many patients lack a clear diagnosis. Many pediatric patients are often grouped with patients with periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome despite failing to meet diagnostic criteria. Here, we categorize these patients as syndrome of undifferentiated recurrent fever (SURF), and identify the unique features which distinguish them from the PFAPA syndrome. SURF patients were more likely to report gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and experienced inconsistent responses to on-demand steroid therapy compared to PFAPA patients. For this previously undefined cohort, an optimal course of therapy remains uncertain, with medical and surgical therapies largely driven by parental preference. A subset of patients with SURF underwent tonsillectomy with complete resolution. Flow cytometric evaluation demonstrates leukocytic populations distinct from PFAPA patients, with reduced CD3+ T cell numbers. SURF patient tonsils were predominantly characterized by an IL-1 signature compared to PFAPA, even during the afebrile period. Peripheral blood signatures were similar between groups suggesting that PFAPA and SURF patient tonsils have localized, persistent inflammation, without clinical symptoms. These data suggest that SURF is a heterogenous syndrome on the autoinflammatory disease spectrum.

A case of asthma with Behcet's disease: successful treatment with omalizumab and its effects on recurrent aphthous lesions

CONTEXT

Monoclonal antibody therapies have revolutionized the treatment of autoinflammatory-immune/genetic disease including spondylarthritis, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Behcet's disease (BD) is a multi-systemic vasculitis, which is generally recurrent aphthous lesions (RAL) as well as ocular and skin lesions. Today, the immunohistopathogenesis of BD is mostly unknown.

METHOD

Omalizumab (Anti-IgE humanized monoclonal antibody) therapy is given for severe persistent allergic asthma, and unintentionally it had effect on RAL. Our patient has received omalizumab treatment for 3 years. The steroid treatment was completely discontinued a month later and the systemic-steroid dependent diabetes mellitus was healed. The IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-33, IL-25, IL-10, IL-23, and IL-17A levels were measured using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit.

RESULTS

After a long-term omalizumab treatment administered, the levels of WBC, d-dimer, IL-33, IL-6, IL-25 and IL-1 β decreased. The patient's hsCRP decreased from 3 to 0.1 and Eosinophil Cationic Protein (ECP) levels decreased from 78 to 21. A significant improvement was noticed in the RAL, the asthma symptoms (cough, shortness of breath), the number of emergency admissions, and the average length of stay of the patient within the days following the initiation of the omalizumab treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, for the first time, we introduce omalizumab treatment of a patient diagnosed with BD and the examination of the treatment for the clinical manifestations and the cytokines/coagulant protein levels. A significant improvement is observed in the patient's RAL following the initiation of omalizumab. There is strong evidence that the serum proinflammatory cytokines/coagulant factors could also play an important role in the relationship between RAL and IgE-dependent vascular autoinflammation.

Recurrence of Symptoms Associated with Menstruation in a Patient with a History of Periodic Fevers

BACKGROUND

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is a cyclic autoinflammatory disease generally diagnosed in childhood. There have been studies suggesting a relationship between menstruation and other autoinflammatory syndromes such as familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), but not PFAPA specifically.

CASE

This case describes a patient with a diagnosis of PFAPA who experienced complete resolution with tonsillectomy only to have recurrence of symptoms with onset of menstruation. She experienced symptom control with initiation of oral contraceptives.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Prior to this case report, there had been no evidence in the literature suggesting a relationship between PFAPA and menstruation despite the observed association in other autoinflammatory syndromes. Onset of menses may be a trigger in PFAPA.

Recurrent, Severe Aphthous Stomatitis and Mucosal Ulcers as Primary Manifestations of a Novel STAT1 Gain-of-Function Mutation

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) characterized by persistent and recurrent Candida infection of the skin, nails, and the mucosa membranes has been proposed as the major infectious phenotype in patients with gain-of-function mutation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) 1. However, viral infections caused mostly by herpesviruses, and a broad range of autoimmune disorders may also be part of the clinical phenotype. We report here on a 31 years old female patient suffering from severe mucosal aphthous mucositis and ulcers and recurrent herpes simplex for decades. We found a previously unknown heterozygous sequence variant in STAT1 (c.1219C>G; L407V) affecting the DNA-binding domain of the protein in the patient and her 4 years old daughter. We found this mutation gain-of-function (GOF) by using immunoblot and luciferase assays. We detected low proportion of IL-17A-producing CD4+ T cell lymphocytes by using intracellular staining and flow cytometry. Candida-induced secretion of IL-17A and IL-22 by mononuclear cells from the patient was markedly decreased compared to controls. These data suggest that the novel mutant allele may result in impaired differentiation of CD4+ T cells to CD4+/IL-17+ cells. The clinical phenotype of the disease in this patient was unique as it was dominated primarily by severe aphthous stomatitis and ulcerative esophagitis and only partly by typical CMC resulting in diagnostic delay. We suggest that patients with severe recurrent aphthous stomatitis and esophagitis should be evaluated for STAT1 GOF mutation. Based on the broad clinical spectrum of the disease, we also suggest that CMC and CMC disease may not be an appropriate term to define clinically STAT1 GOF mutation.

Behçet's disease presenting as recurrent oral aphthosis in a 9-year-old boy from Greece

We report a case of Behçet's disease in a 9-year-old boy from Greece, presenting with a history of recurrent ulceration of the oral cavity. Following inspection of the oral cavity, which revealed lesions on both the upper and lower labial mucosa, as well as a large ulcer on the apex of the tongue, the diagnosis of Behçet's disease was immediately suspected. The diagnosis was confirmed using the International Criteria for Behçet's Disease. Nevertheless, as multiple diseases can cause recurrent oral aphthosis, an extensive differential diagnosis was made, and pertinent tests were undertaken to exclude other causes of oral ulceration. The approach to a patient with Behçet's disease, as well as its various clinical presentations and complications, is discussed.

Mosaic Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosome Derived from Five Discontinuous Regions of Chromosome 8 in a Patient with Neutropenia and Oral Aphthous Ulcer

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMCs) are characterized as additional centric chromosome fragments which are too small to be classified by cytogenetic banding alone and smaller than or equal to the size of chromosome 20 of the same metaphase spread. Here, we report a patient who presented with slight neutropenia and oral aphthous ulcers. A mosaic de novo sSMC, which originated from 5 discontinuous regions of chromosome 8, was detected in the patient. Formation of the sSMC(8) can probably be explained by a multi-step process beginning with maternal meiotic nondisjunction, followed by post-zygotic anaphase lag, and resulting in chromothripsis. Chromothripsis is a chromosomal rearrangement which occurs by breakage of one or more chromosomes leading to a fusion of surviving chromosome pieces. This case is a good example for emphasizing the importance of conventional karyotyping from PHA-induced peripheral blood lymphocytes and examining tissues other than bone marrow in patients with inconsistent genotype and phenotype.

Comparing the clinical profile of adults and children with Behçet's syndrome in the UK

OBJECTIVES

Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a rare multi-system inflammatory disorder. Clinical phenotypic variance across geographical regions is recognised but UK BS patients' variance by age groups and gender has not been studied. This study compares the clinical features of adult and juvenile onset Behçet's Syndrome (JBS) in a UK population.

METHODS

Two clinical databases of BS patients were compared. The JBS database was collected at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London (n=46). The adult database was collected at the Hammersmith Hospital, London (n=560).

RESULTS

Oro-genital aphthosis had high prevalence in both the JBS and the adult cohort (oral: 97.8% vs. 96.6%, genital: 73.9% vs. 75.7%). The JBS cohort was more likely to have gastrointestinal involvement (21.7% vs. 4.5%, p<0.001) and arthritis (21.7% vs. 9.6%, p=0.021) compared to adults. The JBS cohort was less likely to have eye involvement (4.3% vs. 37%, p<0.001), skin (21.7% vs. 55.4%, p<0.001) and vascular involvement (6.5% vs. 17.5% p=0.063). JBS females had a higher rate of genital aphthosis than JBS males (87.5% vs. 59.1%, p=0.044). Adult females had higher rates of genital (85.2% vs. 64.5%, p<0.001) and oral (99.0% vs. 93.8%, p=0.001) aphthosis than adult males. Adult males were more likely to have ophthalmological (44.9% vs. 30.3%, p<0.001) and vascular (23.0% vs. 12.8%, p=0.002) manifestations than adult females.

CONCLUSIONS

UK JBS patients displayed less ocular and skin manifestations compared to the adult BS patients. This information will aid clinicians in diagnosing BS in UK adult and paediatric populations.

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis in Chinese adult patients

OBJECTIVES

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is a multifactorial autoinflammatory disease (AID), which mainly affects children. There have been hardly any cases reported concerning the Chinese population. We aimed to describe the first cohort of adult PFAPA patients in China.

METHODS

We evaluated all the adult patients suffering from PFAPA syndrome diagnosed in our centre from April 2015 through March 2018. The patients were diagnosed clinically, and whole exome sequencing was performed in each patient to rule out mono-genic AIDs.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 9 adult patients (8 men, 1 woman) with PFAPA syndrome were diagnosed. They all had disease onset in adulthood, and the mean age at onset was 25.2±9.5 years. The mean duration of attacks was 4.1±1.0 days, and the mean interval between attacks was 6.2±2.7 weeks. Apart from periodic fever, which was present in all patients, pharyngitis, cervical adenitis and aphthous stomatitis were present in 89%, 67% and 44% patients, respectively. Other common symptoms included fatigue (100%), headache (56%), and myalgia (55%). Inflammatory markers, except ferritin, increased during attacks and returned to normal afterwards. Glucocorticoids given at onset of attacks were effective, while colchicine and tonsillectomy were of no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is the first to suggest the presence of PFAPA syndrome in the Chinese adult population. Clinicians should take into account PFAPA syndrome when diagnosing patients suffering from recurrent fevers of unknown origin, especially those with pharyngitis, cervical adenopathy and aphthous stomatitis.

[PFAPA syndrome - An important differential diagnosis in children with recurrent fever]

Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis and Cervical Adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is the most common autoinflammatory disorder among children in many parts of the world and an important differential diagnosis in children presenting with recurrent fever episodes. Commonly, PFAPA has an onset under the age of 5 years. Fever episodes in PFAPA usually last 3-6 days and are associated with one or more of the cardinal symptoms aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis. The fever episodes typically recur with an interval of 3-6 weeks, often with a striking regularity. During the episodes, the patient has elevated inflammatory variables such as CRP and serum amyloid A (SAA) and may sometimes have additional symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea and leg pain. Between the fever episodes, the patient is typically free of symptoms with normalized inflammatory variables and grows normally. Awareness and recognition of PFAPA is key to providing the patient with adequate treatment and avoiding misdiagnosis.

Recurrent aphthous ulceration: an epidemiological study of etiological factors, treatment and differential diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Recurrent aphthous ulcerations are common benign ulcerated lesions on the mouth, whose etiology is poorly understood, with controversial treatment and difficult to control in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cases of recurrent aphthous ulcerations with a focus on treatment, diagnosis and etiology.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of the cases of the Oral Diagnosis service of the Rio Grande do Norte Federal University in Natal/RN. Data such as sex, age, race, location, smoking habits, types of treatment, relapsing episodes, laboratory test results and clinical characteristics were collected. The associations between the variables were analyzed using the Pearson Chi-square test (p <0.05).

RESULTS

A total of 4895 patients were seen in the service over a period of 11 years. Of these, 161 (3.3%) had complaints of oral aphthous ulcerations, of which 76 (47.2%) were diagnosed as suffering from recurrent aphthous ulcerations and 68 (42.2%) with clinical information necessary for evaluation. The tongue was the most affected anatomical region, with 27 individuals (39.7%), followed by the buccal mucosa, with 22 cases (32.3%).

STUDY LIMITATIONS

Retrospective study with data from medical records.

CONCLUSION

Dental surgeons, dermatologists and otorhinolaryngologists are the main responsible for the first contact with patients with this disease and should be attentive to the clinical aspects and treat each patient in an individualized way, since the therapy is palliative, its diagnosis is by exclusion and its etiology is unknown.

Salivary metabolomics profile of patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer as revealed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Objective We compared the salivary nontargeted metabolite profiles between patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) and healthy individuals to investigate the metabolic alterations associated with RAU. Methods Saliva samples were collected from 45 patients with RAU and 49 healthy individuals, and the salivary metabolites were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The metabolomic profiles were then analyzed using multivariate and univariate statistical methods, and enrichment of the metabolites in various biological pathways was assessed. Results In total, 206 significant differentiating metabolites (Wilcoxon test, false discovery rate [FDR] of <0.05) were identified between patients with RAU and healthy individuals. These metabolites were implicated in tryptophan metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and other metabolic pathways. Two commonly circulating steroids, estrone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, were significantly lower in the saliva of patients with RAU (Wilcoxon test, FDR < 0.05, power > 0.9). Principal component analysis and partial least-squares discriminant analysis revealed metabolic perturbations involving RAU, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with several metabolites showed good diagnostic ability for RAU. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that patients with RAU are characterized by metabolic imbalances. Psychogenic factors, endocrinopathies, and immunosuppression may contribute to the onset of RAU.

Approach to recurrent fever in childhood

OBJECTIVE

To provide an approach to recurrent fever in childhood, explain when infections, malignancies, and immunodeficiencies can be excluded, and describe the features of periodic fever and other autoinflammatory syndromes.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

PubMed was searched for relevant articles regarding the pathogenesis, clinical findings, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of periodic fever and autoinflammatory syndromes.

MAIN MESSAGE

Fever is a common sign of illness in children and is most frequently due to infection. However, when acute and chronic infections have been excluded and when the fever pattern becomes recurrent or periodic, the expanding spectrum of autoinflammatory diseases, including periodic fever syndromes, should be considered. Familial Mediterranean fever is the most common inherited monogenic autoinflammatory syndrome, and early recognition and treatment can prevent its life-threatening complication, systemic amyloidosis. Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis syndrome is the most common periodic fever syndrome in childhood; however, its underlying genetic basis remains unknown.

CONCLUSION

Periodic fever syndromes and other autoinflammatory diseases are increasingly recognized in children and adults, especially as causes of recurrent fevers. Individually they are rare, but a thorough history and physical examination can lead to their early recognition, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment.

[The role of food-specific IgG antibody test in diagnosis and treatment of mild recurrent aphthous ulcer]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the role of food-specific IgG antibody test in the treatment of mild recurrent aphthous ulcer.

METHODS

Seven hundred and ninety nine mild recurrent aphthous ulcer patients and 762 normal persons were enrolled in the experimental and control group respectively, based on the criteria for inclusion and exclusion. The blood serum samples of them were obtained to detect food-specific IgG antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The positive rates were then compared by Chi-square test between 2 groups using SPSS 17.0 software package. The experimental group was further analyzed based on age, gender, course, interval period, number of ulcer, allergy history, etc. Food rotation was applied in strong positive patients for food-specific IgG antibody.

RESULTS

The positive rate was 45.2% in the experimental group and 40.9% in the control group(P=0.101). The positive rate was significantly higher in young patients (51.3%) and patients with short interval (83.9%). Food rotation could prolong the interval period from 13.00 days to 14.77 days in general but did not reduce the ulcer number significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Food-specific IgG antibody test may be helpful for the treatment of young or frequent patients with mild recurrent aphthous ulcer.

Unique clinical presentations of pityriasis rosea: aphthous ulcers, vesicles and inverse distribution of lesions

Pityriasis Rosea (PR) is a common skin disorderencountered in daily practice. Although its etiologyhas not been established, there has been widespreadresearch into possibilities. The lack of its characteristicmanifestations, specifically the herald patch andtruncal involvement, can lead to pitfalls in diagnosis.Whereas other conditions in the differential diagnosisshould be considered, PR can at times also manifest inan atypical manner. We wish to illustrate three casesof PR including those that presented with aphthousulcers, vesicles, and an inverse pattern.

Exploring the Molecular Mechanism and Biomarker of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Based on Gene Expression Microarray

BACKGROUND

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common chronic oral diseases with morbidity ranging from 5% to 20%. The pathogenesis is still not fully understood though immune dysregulation and local trauma have been implicated and the curative effect that can be achieved through current therapy is mainly to alleviate the pain. So, the understanding of its molecular mechanisms can allow the prevention and treatment of RAS at the molecular level.

METHODS

14 normal tissues and 14 ulcerated tissues were subjected to Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array transcriptome analysis. Then, Gene Set Expression Analysis and Gene Pattern tools were carried out to determine the gene expression differences between normal and ulcerated tissues. qRT-PCR was used to validate the expression level of identified genes in 10 normal and 10 ulcerated tissues.

RESULTS

We obtained a total of 1379 DEGs with adjPval < 0.05 and |logFC| > 1 including 1052 up-regulated genes and 327 down-regulated genes. 4 GO terms and 4 KEGG pathways were screened out by comparing the genomewide gene set expression patterns of normal and ulcerated tissues. 7 genes involved in RAS were identified from the VEGF signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Present findings demonstrated that several immune processes have a deep impact on RAS and a number of genes involved in the VEGF signaling pathway may be critical mediators or participators in the pathogenesis of RAS.

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (pfapa) syndrome in children

INTRODUCTION

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome refers to a group of primary immunodeficiencies, namely autoinflammatory diseases. Most pediatricians and otolaryngologists do not suspect PFAPA syndrome when treating recurrent pharyngitis (according to Ukrainian classification - tonsillitis) and stomatitis. Therefore, patients with a given syndrome receive unnecessary treatment (antibiotic therapy or antiviral drugs) and the diagnosis is made late. The aim of the research was to provide pediatricians, family physicians and otolaryngologists with information on the importance of early diagnosis of PFAPA syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The analysis of the prevalence and diagnosis of PFAPA syndrome in Ukraine and worldwide has been made as well as a late diagnosis of PFAPA syndrome in a child living in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine has been described (case report).

RESULTS

The Сase report 7-year-old boy, who grows and develops normally. The symptoms of pharyngitis including high body temperature (>40 º С), sore throat and white spots on the tonsils appeared for the first time at the age of two years. The boy received antibacterial drugs about 10 times a year. During a four-year period of recurrent episodes of the disease antimicrobial susceptibility testing to determine susceptibility of the oropharyngeal flora to the antibiotics were continuously performed, different blood tests for herpes viruses, Epstein-Barr virus infection and cytomegalovirus in particular were made using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in addition to long-term treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

An example of late diagnosing PFAPA syndrome (four years after the onset of first symptoms) resulting in regular examinations, medical manoeuvres, outpatient and inpatient treatment, use of antibiotic therapy including intravenous injections on a monthly basis has been studied.

Myrtus communis L. and its application in treatment of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Iranian Traditional Medicine, M. communis is a famous plant in treatment of oral ulcers and "Gholaa"- the ancient name of aphthous.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review is to create a bridge between the traditional claims about the application of M. communis in treatment of "Gholaa" and its prescription for aphthous, the current form of "Gholaa" in modern medicine METHODS: We extracted the information about the application of M. communis in treatment of aphthous from different resources including Google scholar, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, Springer, ethnobotanical, the traditional books from Traditional Medicine Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

RESULTS

In Iranian traditional texts, "Gholaa" was the corrosive diseases on the surface and inner layer of mouth and tongue and divided into three types of bloody, phlegmatic and burned black bile types. Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis (RAS) is equal to the black bile and phlegmatic types and minor aphthous type can be matched with phlegmatic type. The corrosive propagated lesions can be herpetic aphthous. In modern medicine, M. communis essential oil and its decoction decreased the average time of pain relief and decreased the size of ulcers in patients with minor RAS without any adverse effects. The number of ulcers was not the subjects of any different clinical trials. All patients were satisfied with M. communis topical essential oil (5%), and 81% patients were satisfied with M. communis topical decoctions (5%). It appears the efficacy of M. communis is related to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and wound healing effects.

CONCLUSION

M. communis is effective in minor RAS as its traditional claims and confirming its efficacy in major and herpetiform RAS and comparing the efficacy of its decoction topical formulations or essential oil topical ones are required more and larger experimental and clinical investigations in future.

Demographic, clinical and therapeutic findings in a monocentric cohort of adult patients with suspected PFAPA syndrome

OBJECTIVES

Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and cervical adenopathy (PFAPA) syndrome is a non-Mendelian autoinflammatory disorder until now considered to be specifically limited to paediatric age. Recently, an increasing number of reports seems to suggest that PFAPA syndrome, diagnosed by the Marshall criteria revised by Thomas et al., can also affect adults.

METHODS

The Marshall/Thomas criteria have been applied to 989 adult patients presenting for recurrent fever episodes: all patients enrolled were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and therapeutic data. Infectious, neoplastic, autoimmune and other autoinflammatory diseases were ruled out.

RESULTS

We identified 30 adult patients (19 males, 11 females) with a suspected PFAPA syndrome: their mean age at disease onset was 33.75±14.01 years, mean age at diagnosis 39.1±14.39 years, and mean body temperature peak 39.5±0.7°C. In addition, the mean frequency of febrile episodes was 11.58±8.97 per year. More precisely, patients complained of pharyngitis (77%), cervical adenitis (73%), asthenia (63%), arthralgia (67%), oral aphthosis (50%), myalgia (54%), cephalalgia (43%), abdominal pain (27%), nausea/vomiting (17%), periorbital pain (17%), and arthritis (10%). Six out of 30 (20%) patients had suffered from PFAPA syndrome also during childhood, and the disease had reappeared in adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide the largest monocentric cohort of patients diagnosed with a suspected PFAPA syndrome in adulthood confirming that this syndrome can occur also during adulthood; moreover, due to the medical history of our patients and based on our experience, PFAPA syndrome might relapse during adulthood after a temporary remission reached in the course of paediatric age.

Oral Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Two Case Reports

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are known as chronic inflammatory disorders of the digestive tract, represented mainly by Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Among the main oral manifestations of IBD are cobblestoning of the oral mucosa, labial swellings with vertical fissures, pyostomatitis vegetans, angular cheilitis, perioral erythema, and glossitis. In this sense, understanding these nosological entities by dentists would help reach early and differential diagnosis. Thus, two case reports are presented and discussed based on theoretical references obtained by a literature review. The first case report refers to an adult patient whose IBD diagnosis was established after stomatological assessment. The second case was a patient with CD diagnosed in childhood with characteristic oral lesions.

Management of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis in Children

Recurrent oral ulceration is common and may present in childhood. Causes of recurrent oral ulceration are numerous and there may be an association with underlying systemic disease. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common underlying diagnosis in children. The discomfort of oral ulcers can impact negatively on quality of life of a child, interfering with eating, speaking and may result in missed school days. The role of the general dental practitioner is to identify patients who can be treated with simple measures in primary dental care and those who require assessment and treatment in secondary care. Management may include topical agents for symptomatic relief, topical corticosteroids and, in severe recalcitrant cases, systemic agents may be necessary.

Herpes Zoster of the Third Division of the Trigeminal Nerve. A Clinical Pathologic Conference

Herpes zoster of the trigeminal nerve is a disease that often challenges dentists and dental specialists trying to make the proper diagnosis, as many ulcerative and vesiculobullous diseases of the mouth have a similar clinical appearance. We report a clinical case in which a 27-year-old patient sought care for this vesicular lesion. Included are the differential diagnosis and treatment modalities that we used to diagnose the disease. A clinical pathologic conference is provided to highlight the appropriate courses of action in the management of herpes zoster.

Oral lesions you can't afford to miss

Being able to promptly recognize and diagnose oral lesions is critical to heading off several potentially serious conditions. This article and photo guide can help.