TNFA and IL10 Gene Polymorphisms are not Associated with Periodontitis in Brazilians

IL-10 and TNF-α are cytokines that have complex and opposing roles in the inflammatory responses. G/A polymorphisms at position –1082 of IL10 and –308 of TNFA genes have been reported to influence the expression of IL-10 and TNF-α, respectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the IL10 (-1082) and TNFA (- 308) gene polymorphisms with different clinical forms or severity of periodontitis in a sample of Brazilian individuals. DNA was obtained from oral swabs of 165 Brazilian individuals, which were divided into three groups: individuals with chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis and individuals without clinical evidence of periodontitis. Evaluation of IL10 and TNFA polymorphisms was performed by RFLP analysis. Statistical analysis of data was performed using the χ2 likelihood ratio and Fisher`s exact test. No significant differences in the genotype and allele distribution of either IL10 or TNFA were observed among individuals with different clinical forms or with different degrees of severity of periodontitis. Moreover, combined analysis of IL10 and TNFA polymorphisms did not show any association with periodontal status. As conclusion, the IL10 and TNFA gene promoter polymorphisms investigated are not associated with different clinical forms of periodontitis or with severity of the disease in the Brazilian population polymorphisms

Toxic effects of phenothiazines on the eye

Publications about the retinotoxic action of phenothiazine derivatives led the author to undertake an ophthalmological investigation in two psychiatric hospitals in The Netherlands. The pharmacological actions of phenothiazine preparations are listed and a survey of the phenothiazine derivatives which are at present in use is given. Some retinotoxic substances are discussed and a survey is given of the literature on the ocular complications of phenothiazine therapy. The eyes of 561 patients were examined. of whom 541 are included in this study. 343 of these patients(63.4 %) were found to have retinopathy. The correlation between the retinopathy and the total dose of phenothiazine preparations taken. and between the retinopathy and the duration of treatment. was highly significant. The correlation between the retinopathy and the average daily dose taken was significant. The retinopathy was associated with a reduced standing potential of the eye. as determined by electro-oculography. It was possibly responsible for diminished visual acuity in some cases, and for an abnormally large proportion of protans in the group of patients with colour defects. It was not possible to ascribe a more severe retinotoxic action to one or more specific phenothiazine derivatives than to others. In the author's opinion regular examination of the eyes of patients who are being treated with phenothiazine preparations in high dosage and for for a long period of time is indicated

Clinical characteristics of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in a general outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology in the Netherlands

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in an outpatient obstetric and gynaecological population. METHODS: A prospective, observational study was performed at an inner city hospital in The Hague, Netherlands. 1368 women attending the outpatient department of obstetrics and gynaecology participated in the study. For detection of C trachomatis infections we used amplification of CT rRNA in urine samples (Gen Probe/AMPLIFIED-CT) and DNA probe for detection of CT rRNA from a urethral, endocervical and anal swab (Gen Probe/PACE 2). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of C trachomatis infections in our general obstetric and gynaecological population was 4.5%. The prevalence in women under 30 years of age was 8. 1%. We found age and postcoital bleeding to be significant risk factors. We did not find significant differences between women from different ethnic origin or between women using different kinds of contraceptives. 12 (19.4%) patients with C trachomatis infections were found positive by urine test only, and 15 (24.2%) only by DNA probe. CONCLUSIONS: Age is the most important risk factor in our population (overall prevalence 4.5%, prevalence in women under 20 years of age 15.8%). Analyses of urine and of endocervical specimens are complementary for the determination of the prevalence of C trachomatis infections in women. Cost effectiveness analysis is needed to determine to what extent age based screening and/or antibiotic prophylaxis before intrauterine manipulations is indicated