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Xenarthra mammals can be found from southern North America to southern South America, including all Brazilian biomes. Although it has been shown that Xenarthra mammals can play a role as reservoirs for several zoonotic agents, few studies investigate the diversity of piroplasmids (Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) in this group of mammals. Taking into account that piroplasmids can cause disease in animals and humans, understanding the prevalence and diversity of piroplasmids in Xenarthra mammals would contribute to conservation efforts for this group of animals as well as to infer risk areas for transmission of emergent zoonosis. The present study aimed to investigate the occurrence and molecular identity of piroplasmids in free-living mammals of the Superorder Xenarthra from four Brazilian states (Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Rondônia, and Pará). For this, DNA was extracted from blood or spleen samples from 455 animals. A nested PCR based on the 18S rRNA gene was used as screening for piroplasmids. Of the 455 samples analyzed, 25 (5.5%) were positive. Additionally, PCR assays based on 18S rRNA near-complete, cox-1, cox-3, hsp70, cytB, β-tubulin genes and the ITS-1 intergenic region were performed. Five out of 25 positive samples also tested positive for ITS-1-based PCR. The phylogenetic analysis positioned three 18S rRNA sequences detected in Priodontes maximus into the same clade of Babesia sp. detected in marsupials (Didelphis albiventris, Didelphis marsupialis, and Monodelphis domestica) and Amblyomma dubitatum collected from opossums and coatis in Brazil. On the other hand, the 18S rRNA sequence obtained from Dasypus novemcinctus was closely related to a Theileria sp. sequence previously detected in armadillos from Mato Grosso State, grouping in a subclade within the Theileria sensu stricto clade. In the phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS-1 region, the sequences obtained from Myrmecophaga tridactyla and Tamandua tetradactyla were placed into a single clade, apart from the other piroplasmid clades. The present study demonstrated the molecular occurrence of Piroplasmida in anteaters and Babesia sp. and Theileria sp. in armadillos from Brazil., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: To investigate whether the presence of persistent self-reported oral lesions (PSOLs) is associated with sexual behaviors and with the presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in individuals aged 16–25 years in the state capitals of Brazil. Materials and Methods: Data from the POP-Brazil study were analyzed. An association analysis was performed by Poisson regression with the presence of PSOLs as the outcome. The exposure variables were the age at first sexual intercourse, the number of partners, oral sex practice, and aspects of condom use for model 1, and the presence of a self-reported STI or a positive rapid test for HIV/syphilis and the presence of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) for model 2. The results were adjusted for socioeconomic variables. Results: The prevalence of PSOLs was 76% higher among individuals who had two or more sexual partners in the past year (p = 0.046) and 68% higher in those who reported not using condoms for contraception (p = 0.032). The group with HIV/syphilis or self-reported STI had a 140% higher PSOL prevalence (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The self-report of oral lesions in adolescents and young adults may suggest risky sexual behavior and the presence of STI. Clinical relevance: It is necessary to contextualize the reality of the young person to optimize oral health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piroplasmida is an order of the phylum Apicomplexa that comprises the Babesia, Cytauxzoon, and Theileria genera. These hemoparasites infect vertebrate blood cells and may cause serious diseases in animals and humans. Even though previous studies have shown that bats are infected by different species of piroplasmids, the occurrence and diversity of these hemoparasites have not been investigated in this group of mammals in Brazil. Therefore, the present work aimed to investigate the occurrence and assess the phylogenetic placement of piroplasmids infecting bats sampled in a peri-urban area from Central-Western Brazil. Seventeen (12.6%) out of 135 animals were positive by nested PCR assay for the detection of Babesia/Theileria targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Eleven sequences of the 17 positive samples could be analyzed and showed an identity of 91.8–100% with Theileria bicornis, Babesia vogeli, a Babesia sp. identified in a small rodent (Thrichomys pachyurus) from the Brazilian Pantanal and a Babesia sp. identified in a dog from Thailand as assessed by nBLAST. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from an alignment of 1399 bp length using analyzed and known piroplasmid 18S rRNA sequences. In this tree, piroplasmid 18S rRNA sequences detected in three specimens of Phyllostomus discolor (Piroplasmid n. sp., P. discolor) were placed as a sister taxon to Theileria sensu stricto (Clade V) and Babesia sensu stricto (Clade VI). An additional phylogenetic tree was generated from a shorter alignment of 524 bp length including analyzed piroplasmid 18S rRNA sequences of bat species Artibeus planirostris and A. lituratus (Piroplasmid sp., Artibeus spp.). The two 18S rRNA sequences detected in Artibeus spp. (Piroplasmid n. sp., Artibeus spp.) were placed within Babesia sensu stricto (Clade VI) into a strongly supported clade (bootstrap: 100) that included Babesia vogeli. The two 18S rRNA sequences of Piroplasmid sp., Artibeus spp. showed a single and a two-nucleotide differences, respectively, with respect to B. vogeli in a 709 pb length alignment. For the first time, the present study shows the occurrence of putative new piroplasmid species in non-hematophagous bats from Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Nowadays, necrotizing periodontal diseases have a low prevalence; however, a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis of these diseases is necessary for determining more adequate preventive and therapeutic strategies. Method and Materials: From a pool of 1,232 HIV-infected patients, 15 presented with necrotizing periodontal diseases, which were evaluated by full-month periodontal clinical measurements. Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from necrotizing lesions of six of these individuals. The presence and levels of 47 bacterial species were determined by checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization. Results: All 15 patients (10 had severe immunodeficiency) had been infected sexually. Thirteen patients were taking antiretroviral medication (66.7% undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy). Regarding necrotizing periodontal diseases, necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (60%) was more prevalent than necrotizing ulcerative periodontis (40%). The frequency of supragingival biofilm and bleeding on probing ranged from 11.5% to 59.2% and 3.0% to 54.0%, respectively, whereas the mean probing depth and clinical attachment level were between 1.48 and 2.61 mm and 1.30 and 2.62mm, respectively. Species detected in highly prevalence and/or counts in necrotizing lesions included Treponema denticola, Eikenella corrodens, Dialister pneumosintes, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus intermedium, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Campylobacter rectus. In contrast, Parvimonas micra, Prevotella melaninogencia, Fuscobacterium nucleatum, Eubacterium nodatum, and Helicobacter pylori were observed in the lowest mean prevalence and/or counts. Conclusion: Necrotizing periodontal disease lesions in HIV-infected patients present a microbiota with high prevalence and/or counts of classical periodontal pathogens, in particular T denticola, as well as species not commonly considered as periodontal pathogens, such as E faecalis and D pneumosintes. In addition, these individuals with necrotizing periodontal disease frequently display severe immunodeficiency and AIDS-defining diseases such as tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental esthetics, chewing and speech should be preserved in a dentition denominated functional and are closely related to satisfaction with oral health (SOH), impacts caused by oral problems and have a possible association with Oral Health-Related Quality of Life. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of different concepts of functional dentition (FD) on both SOH and impacts on daily performance (IDP) among Brazilian adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 9564 adults (35-44 years). SOH and IDP were evaluated using the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) questionnaire. FD was considered based on four different definitions: I-classification of the World Health Organization (FDWHO = ≥20 teeth); II-well-distributed teeth (WDT = ≥10 teeth in each arch); III-classified by esthetics and occlusion (FDClass5 = sequential presence of one tooth in each arch, ≥10 teeth in each arch, 12 anterior teeth, ≥three posterior occluding pairs [POPs] of premolars and ≥one POP molar bilaterally); and IV-classified by esthetics, occlusion and periodontal status (FDClass6 = FDClass5 plus all sextants with CPI ≤ 3 and/or CAL ≤ 1). The proportion of adults satisfied with oral health and without overall impact (OIDP = 0) was calculated for each definition of FD. Multiple Poisson regression models were adjusted by demographic-socioeconomic characteristics, self-reported oral problems and the use of dental services for each dependent variable. Results: When FDClass5 and FDClass6 were considered a greater proportion of adults reported being satisfied (52.1 and 53.1%, respectively) and have OIDP = 0 (52.4 and 53.3, respectively). In the multiple models, SOH was associated with FDClass5 (RP = 1.21) and FDClass6 (RP = 1.24) and OIDP = 0 was associated with WDT (RP = 1.14) and FDClass6 (RP = 1.21). Conclusions: The greater influence of WDT, FDClass5 and FDClass6 on aspects related to quality of life in comparison to FDWHO demonstrates the need for the establishment of a broader definition of FD that encompasses subjective aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the influence of oral health conditions, socioeconomic status and dental care utilization on subjective happiness and identify the factors associated with changes in happiness among adolescents., Methods: Data were collected in 2012 and 2014. Oral health conditions were evaluated by performing clinical examinations; socioeconomic status and dental care utilization were assessed by using a questionnaire. The participants answered the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11-14 for the evaluation of the impact of these variables on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Happiness was assessed using the Brazilian version of the Subjective Happiness Scale. For longitudinal data analysis, a mixed-effect model of linear regression was used to assess the factors related to happiness and multinomial logistic regression to appraise prospective changes in happiness., Results: A total of 1134 12-year-old adolescents were examined at baseline (response rate: 93%), and 770 were reevaluated after 2 years (retention rate: 68%). The adolescents who lived in households with lower equivalized income and greater overcrowding, had not visited the dentist in the later 6 months, had a higher number of cavitated carious lesions, and reported a higher impact on OHRQoL in 2012 presented lower happiness levels. Additionally, the adolescents with a higher number of decayed, missing or filled teeth and who reported a higher impact on OHRQoL were more likely to belong to the most unfavourable happiness trajectory categories., Conclusions: The presence of dental caries, socioeconomic conditions, dental care utilization and OHRQoL influence happiness in adolescents. Having more teeth affected by dental caries and worse self-perception in early adolescence can lead to a decrease in happiness., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the periodontal status and the presence of opportunistic oral lesions in human immunodeficiency virus-positive (HIV+) patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and their association with cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ and CD4+ nadir T-cell counts and viral load levels.Methods: Clinical periodontal parameters and the presence of opportunistic oral lesions along with records of CD4+ counts and viral load levels were evaluated in 29 individuals (16 females; mean age: 42.7 years) with previous serologic diagnosis of HIV, from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome program of the Health Center of Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.Results: All individuals presented gingivitis or periodontitis. A higher non-significant prevalence of periodontitis was found in smokers (93.8%) compared with non-smokers (76.9%). A significant weak positive correlation was observed between CD4+ counts and missing teeth (ρ = 0.380, P <0.05), CD4+ nadir and periodontal diagnosis (ρ = 0.418, P <0.005), and CD4+ nadir and moderate probing depth (PD) (ρ = 0.424, P <0.05). When only non-smokers were analyzed, a significant moderate positive association was found between viral load and moderate clinical attachment level (CAL) (ρ = 0.638, P <0.05), CD4+ nadir and diagnosis (ρ = 0.586, P <0.05), and CD4+ nadir and moderate CAL (ρ = 0.680, P <0.05). Analysis considering only smokers found no correlations between serologic parameters and demographic or clinical parameters.Conclusions: The current investigation demonstrates that HIV+ individuals under HAART presents a high prevalence of mild to moderate periodontal disease. Viral load levels, CD4+ nadir, and CD4+ counts may present a weak to moderate correlation to the number of missing teeth, periodontal diagnosis, moderate PD, and moderate CAL, which may also reflect some effect of these systemic conditions on the periodontal status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of malocclusion on children's oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL) and self-reported happiness.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a representative sample of 12-year-old schoolchildren from Santa Maria, South Brazil. Four calibrated examiners carried out clinical exams to evaluate malocclusion [Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI)], dental caries (DMFT), and dental trauma (O'Brien classification, used in the Children's dental health survey in the UK, 1994). Participants answered the Brazilian versions of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14 ) and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS). Parents completed a structured questionnaire regarding socioeconomic status. Data analysis was conducted using multilevel Poisson regression models.Results: A total of 1,134 adolescents (boys: 45.8 percent; girls: 54.1 percent) were enrolled in the study. The DAI overall score ranged from 13 to 63 (mean: 25.19, standard error: 0.19); 57.6 percent of the subjects had minor or no malocclusion and 24.4 percent had definite malocclusion. Severe malocclusion and handicapping malocclusion were found in 10.4 percent and 7.4 percent of the subjects, respectively. After adjustment, the severity of malocclusion was associated with high mean values of the CPQ11-14 overall score, and the emotional well-being and social well-being domains were the most affected. Lower levels of happiness were also associated with the severity of malocclusion: those with definite malocclusion presented lower scores on the SHS scale (Rate Ratio 0.97; 95 percent CI 0.94-0.99).Conclusion: Malocclusion had a negative impact on COHRQoL and happiness, mainly on the emotional and social domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is a large amount of evidence that demonstrates the relationship between oral health status and oral impact daily performance, there are few studies that have evaluated the impact of prosthetic status, particularly the need for a dental prosthesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between need and use of dental prostheses and the prevalence of oral impact on daily performance. A sample of 720 subjects, aged between 50 and 74 years, was evaluated using a cross-sectional study. Participants were selected through a multistage proportional random sampling. The impact of oral health status on daily performance (oral impact on daily performance - OIDP) and socio-demographic data was assessed using a standardised questionnaire, and clinical data were assessed by oral examination. The outcome was the prevalence of impact. The association between the explanatory variables and the outcome was analysed through two models of multivariate Poisson regression. In the adjusted model, the variables need of upper and lower prosthesis and use of lower prosthesis maintained a statistically significant association. No statistically relevant relation between socio-demographic variables and outcomes was found. Findings show that the need and use and of a prosthesis are related to oral health quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional methods to measure oral health based on clinical standards are limited because they do not consider psychosocial and functional aspects of oral health. It has been recommended that these measures need to be supplemented by data obtained from patients regarding their individual perceptions on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Happiness is a multidimensional construct comprising both emotional and cognitive domains, and has been defined as "the degree to which an individual judges the overall quality of his or her life as a whole favorably". It has been associated with several health outcomes, including oral health. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of oral health conditions, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and socioeconomic factors on the subjective happiness of Brazilian adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 on a representative sample of 12-year-old schoolchildren in Santa Maria-RS, Brazil. The data were collected through dental examinations and structured interviews. The participants underwent an evaluation aimed at detecting dental caries, traumatic dental injuries, malocclusion, and gingival bleeding. They also completed the Brazilian versions of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire-short form (CPQ11--14 -- ISF: 16) and the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), which was our outcome variable. Socioeconomic conditions were evaluated through a questionnaire that was completed by the participants' parents. Poisson regression analysis was used to determine the association between the explanatory variables and the outcome. Moreover, a correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the SHS scores and the overall and domain scores of the CPQ11--14 --ISF: 16. Results: A total of 1,134 children were evaluated. Unadjusted analyses showed that happiness was associated with socioeconomic indicators, the use of dental services, clinical status, and scores on the OHRQoL measure. After adjustment, household overcrowding (RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98), dental caries (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99), malocclusion (RR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-0.99), and the severity associated with the CPQ11-14 (RR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.97) still showed a significant association with lower levels of the mean SHS score. Conclusions: Happiness is influenced by oral conditions, socioeconomic status, and OHRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the oral impact on daily performance (OIDP) in Brazilians aged 50-74 years; to test the impact of oral health on 'work' and 'vigorous physical activity'. Background: Clinical oral health indicators do not assess the perceived impact of oral health on people's lives. Methods: The study was performed through small group interviews, pilot studies and a main study with 200 people aged 50 and over. Data were collected through interviews in health centres. Results: For content validity, 'eating' (1.00, p < 0.001) and 'speaking' (0.96, p < 0.001) obtained the highest level of agreement among experts. For criterion and construct validity, there was an inverse correlation between self-rated oral health, perceived oral treatment needs and satisfaction with oral health and OIDP score. Cronbach's alpha coefficient varied from 0.69 to 0.67 when 'work' and 'vigorous physical activities' were deleted. Test-retest reliability was 0.69 (ICC). Conclusion: The validation process showed that the Brazilian OIDP has the necessary basic psychometric properties to be used in the 50-74 years age group in Brazil. 'Work' and 'vigorous physical activities' had low impact on oral health. The activity 'vigorous physical activities' was not maintained in the instrument because of its low impact, while 'work' was maintained due of the increase in the 50-59 years age group in the Brazilian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Few studies have assessed the impact that oral health status and prosthetic rehabilitation have on the general quality of life ( Qo L) of individuals and there is a lack of information about the association between prosthetic status and Qo L. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between clinical oral health variables and general Qo L in individuals aged 50-74 years in Porto Alegre. Methodology This cross-sectional study consisted of 720 participants aged between 50 and 74 years residing in three health districts of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil. They were selected through multistage proportional random sampling. Data were collected through (i) interview using structured questionnaire on demographic data and the World Health Organization Abbreviated Instrument for Quality of Life Assessment ( WHOQOL- BREF) to assess Qo L, (ii) oral clinical examination using criteria recommended by the World Health Organization ( WHO) and the Epidemiological Survey SB/ Brazil in 2000. The interviews and clinical examinations were performed at their homes by four pairs of trained and calibrated researchers. The scores of Qo L were categorized by their median into low (≤median) and high (>median). The association between outcomes and the factors studied was analysed by Poisson Regression using multiple backward methods, with adjustment for robust variance, and Svyset function scheduled following the stages of the research. Results The physical domain of WHOQOL- BREF was associated with use of upper prosthesis and educational level. The psychological domain score was related to level of education. The decayed, missing and filled teeth ( DMFT), gender and educational level were associated to the social relations domain. In the environment domain, an association with use and need of lower prosthesis, age and educational level was observed. Conclusions Clinical oral health variables such as DMFT and use and need of prosthesis were associated with general Qo L in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The adoption of health-related behaviors is an important part of adolescence. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of the isolated and simultaneous presence of behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular health (BRFCH) among adolescents in Curitiba, Southern Brazil.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 1,628 adolescents (aged 11-17.9 years, 52.5% males) that were randomly selected from 44 public schools. Self-report instruments were used to assess the variables. Six BRFCH were analyzed: insufficiently active, excessive TV watching, current alcohol and tobacco use, daily soft drinks consumption and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Sociodemographic and behavioral variables were studied as possible correlates of the presence of BRFCH. Results: The BRFCH with the highest prevalence were insufficiently active (50.5%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 48.0-52.9) and daily soft drinks consumption (47.6%, 95% CI: 45.1-50.0). Approximately 30% of the adolescents presented three or more BRFCH simultaneously. Girls, adolescents who did not participate in organized physical activity, and who used computer/video games daily were the main high-risk subgroups for insufficiently active. Boys and those who used computer/video games daily were the high-risk subgroups for daily soft drinks consumption. For excessive TV watching, we identified to be at risk those who were from a high economic class, unemployed, and who used computer/video games daily. For current alcohol use, we identified older adolescents, who were from a high economic class and who worked to be at risk. Older adolescents, who worked and who spent little active time during a physical education class were the high-risk subgroups for current tobacco use. For inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, we identified those who did not participate in organized physical activity to be at risk. Older adolescents, who were from a high economic class, who did not participate in organized physical activity and who used computer/video games daily were the high-risk subgroups for simultaneous BRFCH. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of BRFCH among adolescents, both isolated and simultaneously. The correlates of the presence of BRFCH can contribute to healthy policies among Brazilian adolescents, mainly focusing on high-risk subgroups for a health risk behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which seeks to determine the success rate of dental implants placed in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and were taking regimens of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The study use pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) to identify patients with elevated bone resorption and altered bone metabolism. The study reveals that dental implants placement in HIV-positive patients is a practical treatment option.

Objective. To examine the link between tooth loss and multilevel factors in a national sample of middle-aged adults in Brazil. Material and methods. Analyses were based on the 2003 cross-sectional national epidemiological survey of the oral health of the Brazilian population, which covered 13 431 individuals (age 35–44 years). Multistage cluster sampling was used. The dependent variable was tooth loss and the independent variables were classified according to the individual or contextual level. A multilevel negative binomial regression model was adopted. Results. The average tooth loss was 14 (standard deviation 9.5) teeth. Half of the individuals had lost 12 teeth. The contextual variables showed independent effects on tooth loss. It was found that having 9 years or more of schooling was associated with protection against tooth loss (means ratio range 0.68–0.76). Not having visited the dentist and not having visited in the last ≥3 years accounted for increases of 33.5% and 21.3%, respectively, in the risk of tooth loss ( P < 0.05). The increase in tooth extraction ratio showed a strong contextual effect on increased risk of tooth loss, besides changing the effect of protective variables. Conclusions. Tooth loss in middle-aged adults has important associations with social determinants of health. This study points to the importance of the social context as the main cause of oral health injuries suffered by most middle-aged Brazilian adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39 188–194 Objectives: To evaluate predisposing factors such as orofacial manifestations, immunosuppression status and antiretroviral therapy in relation to oral colonization by Candida spp. in Brazilian HIV-infected children and their uninfected siblings in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods: Whole stimulated saliva was collected from 65 HIV-infected children (HIV+) and 40 uninfected siblings (HIV–), followed by assessment of orofacial manifestation, caries indexes and the number of cavitated dentinal carious teeth (CDT). The salivary samples were cultured and the colonies were counted. After which they were identified by sugar assimilation and fermentation (API 20C). Data was analyzed using chi-square, Mann–Whitney, Spearman tests and logistic regression. Results: Regarding positive growth, HIV+ presented 80% (52/65) and HIV− 57.5% (23/40) ( P = 0.013). Absence of antiretroviral therapy and HAART increased the probability of Candida isolation ( P < 0.05). Mean CD4%, immune-status and history of recurrent oral candidiasis (OC) had no influence on Candida isolation. Mixed Candida spp. cultures were observed in HIV+ (40%) and HIV− (52%): C. albicans was more frequently found in both groups, with a higher prevalence in HIV+ ( P = 0.05); other non- albicans species were isolated in HIV+ and HIV−. Low prevalence of orofacial manifestations was observed in HIV+ (10.7% of OC). There was an association between means of CDT and Candida growth ( P < 0.05) and a positive correlation between number of CDT and Candida cfu-counts in HIV+ and HIV−. Mean CD4% and immune-status had no influence on Candida isolation. Absence of antiretroviral therapy and HAART increased the probability of Candida isolation ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: The HIV infected children had a significantly higher prevalence of oral Candida spp. compared to their uninfected siblings. Absence of HAART and presence of dentinal carious teeth increased significantly Candida spp. colonization in these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Controversial data regarding the association between immunosuppression and prevalence/severity of periodontal diseases in HIV infection have been reported. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that lower T CD4 lymphocyte levels are not related to a higher prevalence of chronic periodontitis in HIV-infected Brazilians undergoing highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Methods: Sixty-four HIV-infected patients under HAART were classified as having chronic periodontitis; i.e., ≥three sites with probing depth (PD) and/or clinical attachment level (CAL) ≥5 mm or periodontal healthy (no sites with PD >3 mm and/or CAL >4 mm). All subjects received conventional periodontal therapy. Bleeding on probing, plaque accumulation, PD, and CAL were registered at six sites/tooth at baseline and 4 months after therapy. Epidemiological features and levels of T CD4 lymphocytes were obtained from medical records. Significance of differences in periodontal clinical parameters within and between groups were determined using Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney or independent sample t tests. Associations between T CD4 levels and clinical parameters were determined using the chi square test. Results: Sixty-one percent of the HIV-infected patients represented AIDS cases, although 69% of them were periodontally healthy. The overall T CD4 lymphocyte mean levels was 333 ± 254 cells/mm³ and viral load was 12,815 ± 24,607 copies/mm³. Yet the prevalence of chronic periodontitis was relatively low (36%). In addition, patients with periodontitis presented a moderate disease (mean PD = 2.2 ± 0.10; mean CAL = 2.6 ± 0.13) and responded successfully to periodontal therapy. These subjects showed higher levels of T CD4 cells, but lower counts of neutrophils than periodontally healthy patients. Among periodontally healthy and chronic periodontitis patients, 41.7% and 22.9%, respectively, had low levels of T CD4 lymphocytes. No significant differences between periodontal status and epidemiological and immunological parameters were observed. Conclusion: Based on these results, the hypothesis that lower T CD4 lymphocyte levels are not associated with higher prevalence of chronic periodontitis in HIV-infected Brazilians under HAART cannot be rejected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]