Detection of hepatitis A, B, and C virus-specific antibodies using oral fluid for epidemiological studies

In this report, we examine the adaptability of commercially available serological kits to detect antibodies markers for viral hepatitis in oral fluid samples. We also assessed the prevalence of hepatitis A, B, and C virus-specific antibodies, and related risk factors for these infectious diseases through sensitivity of the tests in saliva samples to evaluate if oral fluid can be an alternative tool to substitute serum in diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis and in epidemiological studies. One hundred and ten paired serum and saliva specimens from suspect patients of having acute hepatitis were collected to detect antibodies to hepatitis A (total and IgM), hepatitis B (anti-HBs, total anti-HBc and IgM anti-HBc), and hepatitis C (anti-HCV) using commercially available enzyme-linked immunossorbent assay (EIA). In relation to serum samples, oral fluid assay sensitivity and specificity were as follows: 87 and 100% for total anti-HAV, 79 and 100% for anti-HAV IgM, 6 and 95% for anti-HBs, 13 and 100% for total anti-HBc, 100 and 100% for anti-HBc IgM, and 75 and 100% for anti-HCV. The consistency observed between antibodies tests in saliva and expected risk factors for hepatitis A and C suggests that the saliva method could replace serum in epidemiological studies for hepatitis A and C

A importância da interação entre odontopediatrias e pediatrias no manejo de dentes natais e neonatais The importance of interaction of pediatric dentists and pediatricians in the management of natal and neonatal teeth

OBJETIVO: Apresentar revisão de literatura sobre dentes natais e neonatais, abordando características clínicas, fatores etiológicos, medidas terapêuticas e a importância do conhecimento desta anomalia, por odontopediatras e pediatras. FONTES DE DADOS: Foram selecionados os artigos mais relevantes sobre o tema, desde 1950 até 2006, pesquisados no Medline e na Bibliografia Brasileira em Odontologia (BBO), além de livros de pertinentes. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Os dentes natais e neonatais consistem em uma anomalia de erupção, sendo caracterizados por seu irrompimento na cavidade oral durante o período intra-uterino ou no primeiro mês de vida respectivamente, podendo fazer parte da dentição decídua normal ou supranumerária. Esses dentes, em geral, apresentam bordos cortantes e podem estar relacionados ao aparecimento de ulcerações na base da língua do bebê e/ou no seio materno, comprometendo a amamentação. A fraca implantação óssea desses dentes favorece sua grande mobilidade, tornando-se, assim, um fator de risco à sua aspiração ou deglutição pela criança. A abordagem terapêutica depende da dentição à qual pertence o dente e dos possíveis problemas que este pode causar à saúde da criança ou da mãe. CONCLUSÕES: O conhecimento sobre as características clínicas e os possíveis distúrbios aos quais os dentes natais e neonatais estão relacionados por odontopediatras e pediatras possibilita a interação necessária para o diagnóstico precoce e a abordagem integral da criança.<br>OBJECTIVE: To review available data about natal and neonatal teeth, emphasizing clinical characteristics, etiological factors, treatment, and the importance of the knowledge about this anomaly by pediatric dentists and pediatricians. DATA SOURCES: The most relevant articles published on the subject were selected, from 1950 to 2006, browsed on Medline, Brazilian Bibliografy of Odontology (BBO) and Dentistry books. DATA SYNTHESIS: Natal and neonatal teeth are considered eruption anomalies, characterized by eruption into oral cavity during the intrauterine period or during the first month after birth, respectively, being part of the regular deciduous or the supernumerary dentitions. As these teeth usually present cutting edges, they can be related to traumatic injury to newborn’s tongue and/or to mother’s nipples, compromising breastfeeding. In general, the weak attachment of these teeth to alveolar bone favors a high degree of mobility, which exposes the infant to the risk of aspiration or swallowing them. The management depends on which dentition these teeth belong and/or on complications that may affect either infant’s or mother’s health. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge about the clinical characteristics and the possible complications related to natal and neonatal teeth by pediatric dentists and pediatricians provides the necessary interaction to early diagnosis and infant general management