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Background. Torquetenovirus (TTV) is a small DNA virus constituting the human virome. High levels of TTV-DNA have been shown to be associated with immunosuppression and inflammatory chronic disorders. Aim. To assess the possible association between the salivary viral load of TTV-DNA in patients hospitalised due to COVID-19 and disease severity. Methods. Saliva samples collected from 176 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were used to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and TTV-DNA by use of real-time RT-PCR. Results. The majority of patients were male with severe COVID-19. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 was observed in the saliva of 64.77% of patients, showing TTV-DNA in 55.68% of them. Patients with impaired clinical conditions (p < 0.001), which evolved to death (p = 0.003), showed a higher prevalence of TTV-DNA. The median viral load in patients with severe condition was 4.99 log10 copies/mL, in which those who were discharged and those evolving to death had values of 3.96 log10 copies/mL and 6.27 log10 copies/mL, respectively. A statistically significant association was found between the distribution of TTV-DNA viral load in saliva samples and severity of COVID-19 (p = 0.004) and disease outcomes (p < 0.001). Conclusions. These results indicate that TTV-DNA in saliva could be a useful biomarker of COVID-19 severity and prognosis.

Abstract Background Certain clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mimic those associated with human herpesvirus (HHV) infection. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of herpesvirus in patients with COVID-19 and determined if coinfection is associated with poorer outcomes and neurological symptoms. Methods We analyzed samples of 53 patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The samples were evaluated for the presence of alphaherpesviruses, betaherpesviruses, and gammaherpesviruses, and the viral loads were quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method. Results Among the patients, in 79.2% had detection at least one type of herpesvirus. HHV-6 (47.2%), cytomegalovirus (43.3%), and HHV-7 (39.6%) showed the highest detection rates. Patients with a high severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) load were more likely to show herpes simplex virus 1 detection (p = 0.037). Among patients coinfected with SARS-CoV-2 and HHVs, 26.4% showed central nervous system-associated neurological symptoms and herpetic manifestations. A statistically significant association was observed between neurological changes and HHV-6 detection (p = 0.034). Conclusions The findings showed a high prevalence of herpesvirus in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, even though SARS-CoV-2 and HHV coinfection was not associated with poorer outcomes, the findings demonstrated the association between neurological symptoms and HHV-6 detection.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) of polyomavirus (PyV) are present in several biological fluids and are suggested to be relevant viral factors for monitoring its persistence. Aim: To evaluate the effect of an immunosuppressive regimen on the status of PyV-miRNA-5p in the oral cavity. Materials and Methods: The JCPyV, BKPyV, MCPyV miRNA-5p were investigated in paired saliva and plasma samples obtained from 23 patients before and shortly after renal-transplantation by using real-time RT-PCR. Results: Overall, within a short-time after transplantation, patients exhibited decreased numbers of leukocyte and lymphocyte as well as low levels of creatinine. During the clinical management of the patients, a significant amount of saliva samples were positive for JCPyV and BKPyV miRNA-5p (range: 26%-91%) compared to paired plasma samples (range: 9%-35%). Among the two polyomaviruses showing positive expression of miRNA-5p, BKPyV presented the highest positivity in saliva (91%) and MCPyV-miRNA-5p was constantly negative in both saliva and plasma samples. Compared to the time before transplantation, a significant reduction in the expression of JCPyV-miRNA-5p was observed in saliva samples obtained after transplantation. Conclusions: Altogether, these data suggest that additional investigations of polyomavirus miRNA-5p in saliva should be performed shortly after renal-transplantation to evaluate the potential role in early viral reactivation.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the use of texture analysis for characterization of radicular cysts and periapical granulomas and to assess its efficacy to differentiate between both lesions with histological diagnosis. Methods: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained from 19 patients with 25 periapical lesions (14 radicular cysts and 11 periapical granulomas) confirmed by biopsy. Regions of interest were created in the lesions from which 11 texture parameters were calculated. Spearman's correlation analysis was performed and adjusted with Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate procedure (FDR

Abstract Asymptomatic Apical Periodontitis is essentially an inflammatory disease of microbial aetiology. Association and function of the cell components involved, or specific inductive factors and growth mediators associated with development, maintenance and resolution of the periapical lesions are still unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration of Regulatory T cells (FoxP3+; Treg), Langerhans cells (CD1a+; LC) and mast cells in asymptomatic apical periodontitis. 73 cases were selected: 30 periapical granulomas, 29 radicular cysts and 14 residual cysts. All groups were submitted to morphological analysis for classification of inflammatory infiltrate and thickness of the epithelial lining as well as to immunohistochemical analysis for detection of LC and Treg cells. Toluidine blue staining was used for detecting mast cells. Analysis showed higher mean numbers of LC (8.2 cells/0.2mm2), and Treg cells in radicular cysts (5.910 cells/0.2mm2). As for mast cells, it was found that radicular cysts had a higher mean number of these cells compared to other periapical lesions (12.68 cells/0.2mm2). The association between thickness of the epithelial lining and inflammatory cells showed that the presence of hypertrophic epithelium in radicular cysts presented higher density of LC. The number of LC and Treg cells play an important role in the control of the inflammatory micro-environment in periapical granulomas and radicular cysts, respectively. The presence of mast cells in radicular cysts may be associated with progression of the lesion. Knowledge regarding the inflammatory cell profile is therefore essential for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of asymptomatic periapical periodontitis.

Introduction: Giant-cell fibroma is a rare benign fibrous neoplasm of uncertain etiological factors and peculiar clinical-pathological characteristics. Objective: To describe the excision of giant-cell fibroma in the right jugal mucosa using surgical laser. Case report: A 33-year-old female patient, treated at the dental clinic of State University of Paraíba, due to neoplastic lesion, with slow growth in the region of the right jugal mucosa. Clinically, a single, asymptomatic tumor mass of approximately two centimeters, sessile, normocorated, with a firm consistency and a smooth surface was observed. After clinical examination, an excisional biopsy was performed for diagnostic purposes, using the surgical laser. The diagnosis, after the histopathological examination, revealed a giant-cell fibroma. The management of the excisional biopsy, in addition to having the purpose of oral diagnosis, was responsible for the treatment of the lesion, since it provided its complete removal. Second healing intention was chosen and, in order to accelerate this process, a local application with low-power red-light spectrum laser was carried out. At 7-day follow-up, adequate healing was observed, with minimal tissue change. After eight months, adequate tissue regeneration was observed without relapsed lesion. Conclusions: Removal of a giant-cell fibroma using high-power diode laser was shown to be a viable therapeutic approach for the treatment of this pathology.

Abstract: We report a 35-year-old mulatto female patient with neurofibromatosis Type 1 who presented with facial asymmetry. The patient had two lesions: florid cemento-osseous dysplasia associated with peripheral giant cell granuloma. She was referred for surgical treatment of the peripheral giant cell granuloma and the florid cemento-osseous dysplasia was treated conservatively by a multidisciplinary team. So far, no changes have been observed in the patient's clinical status. We observed no recurrence of peripheral giant cell granuloma. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first report of a patient with neurofibromatosis Type 1 associated with a giant cell lesion and florid cemento-osseous dysplasia.

Backgroung Roseolovirus latency and persistence in salivary glands that are frequently reactivated after renal transplantation to cause infection have been reported. However, limited information is available on the persistence and excretion of HHV-6 and HHV-7 during and after transplant. Methods 32 renal transplant recipients were followed up before (T1) and after transplant (T2 and T3) and viral replication (via assessment of mRNA) in oral fluid samples investigated. Roseolovirus DNA was detected and quantified via multiplex qPCR. For evaluation of mRNA replication, positive samples were subjected to nested RT-PCR. Results Viral replication of HHV-7 was significantly increased during T3 (72.9%), compared to the pre-transplant period T1 (25%; McNemar Test, p= 0.001). Analysis of the viral replicative to quantitative ratio disclosed ahigher number of DNA copies (>106) in positive cases of replication (p

Abstract: Background: The studies found in the literature associate the immunoexpression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins with histologic aspects, but do not correlate it with clinical and epidemiological data. Objective: To evaluate the immunoexpression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 in actinic cheilitis, correlating it with clinical characteristics. Methods: We analyzed 40 cases. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. The following clinical variables were evaluated: gender, age range, ethnicity, clinical aspect and occupational sunlight exposure. Statistical evaluation included the Student t-test, while the significance level was set at 5%. Results: Greater immunoexpression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 was observed in females, individuals aged over 40, and mixed-race/black patients. Furthermore, the immunoexpression of these proteins was greater in actinic cheilitis with a white-colored appearance and in patients without occupational sunlight exposure. No statistical differences were observed for the variables studied. Conclusion: This study uncovered variations of hMLH1 and hMSH2 protein expression upon evaluation of clinical aspects in actinic cheilitis.

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to verify the presence of polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) in the saliva of kidney transplant recipients and to correlate it with blood viremia. Material and Methods: We have conducted a cross-sectional study with a sample involving 126 renal transplant recipients. 126 samples of saliva and 52 samples of blood were collected from these patients. Detection and quantification of BKPyV were performed using a real-time PCR. To compare the presence of BKPyV in blood and saliva, the binomial proportion test was used. To verify associations between salivary shedding BKPyV and post-transplant periods (in months), the Mann-Whitney test was used. Spearman's correlation was used to correlate the viral load in the saliva with blood of kidney transplant recipients. Results: The mean age of the study group was 51.11±12.45 years old, and 69 participants (54.8%) were female, with a mean post-transplantation time of 4.80±6.04 months. BKPyV was quantified in several samples of saliva and blood, with medians of 1,108 cp/mL and 1,255 cp/mL, respectively. Only 16/52 (30.8%) participants presented BKPyV in blood, and 59/126 (46.8%) excreted the virus in saliva (p=0.004). BKPyV shedding was found in patients at a shorter post-transplantation period (3.86±5.25, p=0.100). A weak correlation was observed between viral quantification in saliva and blood (Spearman's correlation coefficient=0.193). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that, although saliva excretes more BKPyV than blood, there is no reliable correlation between salivary shedding and blood viremia, showing two independent compartments of viral replication.

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics and distribution of the cases of mandibular fractures due to external causes treated at the Hospital Regional de Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, between January 2002 and December 2006. Method: For such purpose, an indirect review of 691 medical-hospital patient files of the Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were reviewed. A total of 59 (8.5%) files referred to mandibular fracture victims. The following variables were analyzed: gender, age range, time of occurrence (date and hour), etiology, presence of associated fractures, type of treatment and time of hospitalization. Results: The results showed that males were more frequently affected than females (83.1%), with predominance in the 21-30 age range (40.7%). Most cases were treated on Saturdays and Sundays (40.6%) and at night (30.5%). Falls, (28.8%), interpersonal violence (23.7%) and motorcycle accidents (23.7%) were the main etiologies. Five patients (8.5%) presented fractures in other facial bones and the most frequent treatment was the intermaxillary retention with stainless steel wire (50.8%). The mean hospitalization time was 5.28 days.Conclusions: The prevalence of mandibular fractures is higher in the male gender, during the third decade of life; falls were the main etiologic factor and most cases occurred during the weekend.

Os objetivos desse estudo foram determinar a prevalência de maloclusão e a necessidade de tratamento ortodôntico em pacientes de 18 a 50 anos de idade atendidos nas clínicas odontológicas da Universidade Estadual da Paraíba. A amostra compreendeu 156 pacientes (65,4% mulheres e 34,6% homens). O diagnóstico da maloclusão foi feito com o uso do Índice de Estética Dental (DAI) por meio de dois examinadores calibrados (K = 0,71). A análise estatística utilizou os testes do Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher, com nível de significância de 5%. A prevalência de maloclusão foi 63,5%. Observou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre a perda de elemento dentário na região anterior e a severidade da maloclusão (p = 0,000; OR = 21,06 [8,47-53,90]). Metade dos pacientes não estava satisfeita com o sorriso, existindo diferença estatisticamente significante entre a severidade da maloclusão e a satisfação ao sorrir (p = 0,015; OR = 2,23 [1,16-4,71]). Conclui-se que a prevalência de maloclusão foi alta, sendo mais frequente o apinhamento no segmento incisal. Um terço dos pacientes portava maloclusão muito severa/incapacitante, sendo verificada associação entre a severidade da maloclusão e a satisfação ao sorrir.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the clinical-pathological profile of patients with minor salivary gland neoplasms. Methods A retrospective study of specific cases diagnosed as benign and malignant tumors of the minor salivary glands was performed. The data were collected from medical records of patients seen at a hospital over a period of 15 years. The sample was made up of 37 cases. For the pathological study, slides containing 5μm thick sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin were used. The data were tabulated using descriptive statistics. Results Malignant neoplasms represented 70.3% of cases. The mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common neoplasm (45.9%), followed by pleomorphic adenoma (24.4%). Most patients were female (70.3%), aged between 71 and 80 years. The palate (67.6%) and the retromolar region (10.8%) were the most affected sites. Conclusion Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common tumor in minor salivary glands. These tumors are more common in females aged over 40 years. The palate was the most common affected site.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the normative need for orthodontic treatment and the perception of such need among students aged 11-14 years. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 346 students, randomly selected from public and private schools. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was used to evaluate the normative need for orthodontic treatment (NNOT). The perceived need for treatment among students was assessed by a previously validated questionnaire. Data was analyzed by Pearson’s Chi-squared test (α = 5%). Results: The prevalence of malocclusion and NNOT was 65.6%. Of the sample, 73.7% felt they needed treatment, 66.2% wanted orthodontic treatment and 62.7% were satisfied with their dental aesthetics. A statistically significant association was observed between NNOT and the perception of the need for treatment among the students (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated a high prevalence of malocclusion, which was reflected in the high normative need for orthodontic treatment. The opinion of patients regarding their expectations of orthodontic treatment should be valued. The students perceived a need for orthodontic treatment.