Fabrication of a radiographic and surgical stent for maxillofacial implants: a case report

"nA procedure was explained to fabricate a surgical stent to aid the placement of maxillofacial implants for prosthetic auricular rehabilitation. An impression of the defect was made, and a wax pattern of the missing ear completed and evaluated on the patient. The definitive wax prosthesis was processed in clear acrylic resin. Also an occlusal maxillary splint was fabricated and joined to the acrylic resin ear by using an extraoral acrylic resin bar. Surgical stent provides proper orientation of the acrylic resin ear while remaining attached to the maxillary arch. This surgical stent can also be used for radiographic examination

Strongyloides stercoralis : global distribution and risk factors

The soil-transmitted threadworm, Strongyloides stercoralis, is one of the most neglected among the so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). We reviewed studies of the last 20 years on S. stercoralis's global prevalence in general populations and risk groups.; A literature search was performed in PubMed for articles published between January 1989 and October 2011. Articles presenting information on infection prevalence were included. A Bayesian meta-analysis was carried out to obtain country-specific prevalence estimates and to compare disease odds ratios in different risk groups taking into account the sensitivities of the diagnostic methods applied. A total of 354 studies from 78 countries were included for the prevalence calculations, 194 (62.4%) were community-based studies, 121 (34.2%) were hospital-based studies and 39 (11.0%) were studies on refugees and immigrants. World maps with country data are provided. In numerous African, Asian and South-American resource-poor countries, information on S. stercoralis is lacking. The meta-analysis showed an association between HIV-infection/alcoholism and S. stercoralis infection (OR: 2.17 BCI: 1.18-4.01; OR: 6.69; BCI: 1.47-33.8), respectively.; Our findings show high infection prevalence rates in the general population in selected countries and geographical regions. S. stercoralis infection is prominent in several risk groups. Adequate information on the prevalence is still lacking from many countries. However, current information underscore that S. stercoralis must not be neglected. Further assessments in socio-economic and ecological settings are needed and integration into global helminth control is warranted

Serodiagnosis of strongyloidiasis. The application and significance Aplicação e significado do diagnóstico sorológico na estrongiloidíase

Parasitological diagnosis based on the faecal examination is frequently difficult in cases of chronic, low-level S. stercoralis infection. Even when a newly developed sensitive method (an agar plate culture) is applied, it is essential to examine faecal samples repeatedly to achieve a correct diagnosis. Additionally, it is important to note that a negative result does not necessarily indicate the unequivocal absence of the infection. On the other hand, several serological tests which have recently been developed for strongyloidiasis have proven reliable when used to complement parasitological examination. We have developed two serological tests, ELISA and GPAT, to demonstrate Strongyloides infection and possible applications of the serological tests for diagnosis, mass-screening, epidemiological study and postchemotherapy evaluation of strongyloidiasis were reviewed based on our recent studies.<br>O diagnóstico parasitológico baseado no exame de fezes é muitas vezes difícil, principalmente nos casos de infecções crônicas ou leves pelo S. stercoralis. Mesmo utilizando o mais novo e sensível método (cultura em placas de ágar) é essencial examinar repetidamente as amostras fecais, para um diagnóstico correto. É importante ressaltar também que o resultado negativo não indica de modo inequívoco a ausência da infecção. Por outro lado, vários testes sorológicos recentemente desenvolvidos para estrongiloidíase tem provado a sua eficácia quando usados para complementar exames parasitológicos. Para demonstrar infecção por Strongyloides desenvolvemos dois tipos de testes sorológicos - ELISA e GPAT - e, com base em nossos recentes estudos, apresentamos uma opinião sobre sua possível aplicação para screening em massa, estudos epidemiológicos e avaliação pós-tratamento de estrongiloidíases