Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis developed after acute herpetic gingivostomatitis.
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A child with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) developed after acute herpetic gingivostomatisis was described. Inspite of the improvement of his gingivostomatitis, his consciousness gradually deteriorated and he was admitted to Nakadori General Hospital. His consciousness level was drowsiness and increased bilateral patellar reflexes were shown. Because magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2-weighted scan showed areas of high signal intensity disseminated in superior portion of medulla oblongata, dorsal portion of pons, basal nuclei and thalamus, he was suspected as having ADEM. Anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 IgG and IgM antibodies elevated in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid. From these results, HSV1 infection was thought to be the preceding infection of ADEM. Methylprednisolone therapy (20 mg/kg daily) for 3 days, followed by prednisolone (2 mg/kg) was started, with an excellent response. In addition, administration of acyclovir was also continued, considering the complication of HSV encephalitis. MRI T2-weighted scan performed at 2 months later after the onset of ADEM revealed disappearance of the lesions. He was discharged without remaining disorders. It is difficult to distinguish between ADEM and HSV encephalitis because both of these diseases show various neurological symptoms. In our case, MRI was the most useful method for correct diagnosis of ADEM. We concluded that ADEM is important as a disease of central nervus system due to HSV1 infection, in addition to encephalitis. (+info)
It's only teething...a report of the myths and modern approaches to teething.
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Paediatric dentistry is not my usual field of work. I am now based almost entirely in restorative dentistry and it is five years since I worked in the dental department of a children's hospital. An essay on teething would appear to be an unusual choice of topic. With the current professional climate of 'general professional education' and 'lifelong learning' I can easily justify my time and effort studying a subject somewhat removed from my regular work. However, to be completely honest, I have reached that age when many of my friends, relatives and colleagues are enjoying the sleepless nights that accompany expanding families. Add to this the fact that I have recently married into a family of midwives, health visitors, nurses and new mothers. I was not sure that I was giving the best, most up to date advice when asked about teething. So some reading around was required. If only it were that simple. I now feel equipped to give a little more help than simply saying, "It's only teething..." (+info)
Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis in a 65-year-old patient.
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We report a case of primary herpetic gingivostomatitis in a 65 years old patient. Age of onset for this disease is typically 1-5 years, though it may also arise in adolescents and young adults; it is rare in children of less than 6 months, as well as in adults more than 40 years old. Our case is thus, unusual in view of the patient's age. We discuss criteria for diagnosis in cases of this type. (+info)
Cancrum oris (Noma) is a devastating infectious disease which destroys the soft and hard tissues of the oral and para-oral structures. The dehumanizing oro-facial gangrenous lesion affects predominantly children ages 2 to 16 years, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the estimated frequency in some communities varies from 1 to 7 cases per 1000 population. The risk factors are poverty, malnutrition, poor oral hygiene, residential proximity to livestock in unsanitary environments, and infectious diseases, particularly measles and those due to the herpesviridae. Infections and malnutrition impair the immune system, and this is the common denominator for the occurrence of noma. Acute necrotizing gingivitis (ANG) and oral herpetic ulcers are considered the antecedent lesions, and ongoing studies suggest that the rapid progression of these precursor lesions to noma requires infection by a consortium of micro-organisms, with Fusobacterium necrophorum (Fn) and Prevotella intermedia (Pi) as the suspected key players. Additional to production of a growth-stimulating factor for Pi, Fn displays a classic endotoxin, a dermonecrotic toxin, a cytoplasmic toxin, and a hemolysin. Without appropriate treatment, the mortality rate from noma is 70-90%. Survivors suffer the two-fold afflictions of oro-facial mutilation and functional impairment, which require a time-consuming, financially prohibitive surgical reconstruction. (+info)
How successfully do general practitioners diagnose herpetic gingivo-stomatitis clinically?
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Herpetic gingivo-stomatitis is a common, often painful affliction of young children. Recently, aciclovir treatment has been found to be effective in hospital-referred cases, an approach limited in general practice where laboratory diagnosis is invariably impractical. This study demonstrated that 49 out of 63 clinical diagnoses of herpetic gingivo-stomatitis [PPV = 78%] made by 27 GPs were subsequently validated by laboratory virus culture. This suggests that herpetic gingivo-stomatitis might be treated with aciclovir in general practice on the basis of a clinical diagnosis alone. (+info)
Clinical manifestations and treatment considerations of herpes simplex virus infection.
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Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) types 1 and 2 cause infections manifesting as dermatologic, immunologic, and neurologic disorders. Some of the most important manifestations and complications of HSV infection are considered here in a neuroanatomic context. This discussion should aid in understanding the pathogenesis and, in some cases, diagnosis and management of associated HSV-related diseases. The sensory nervous system, rather than skin and mucous membranes, is the primary target of HSV infection. With the intention of extending the benefits of acyclovir, valacyclovir is now being explored in a number of HSV-related conditions. This review extends contemporary thinking about how new antiherpetic drugs might be put to greater therapeutic use in the future. (+info)
Acute herpetic gingivostomatitis in adults: a review of 13 cases, including diagnosis and management.
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OBJECTIVE: To present to general dentists the typical signs and symptoms associated with adult acute (primary) herpetic gingivostomatitis. The pertinent laboratory tests, management options and current pharmacotherapy are also reviewed. REVIEW DESIGN: The clinical files of 13 adult patients were reviewed. All had no history of herpes simplex virus infection and presented with oral lesions suggestive of primary herpetic infection. The subjects were all patients of one of the investigators, and their workup included Tzanck testing and viral culture. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 18 to 79 (mean 37.2, standard deviation 19.6) years. Nine (69%) were men. Viral culture was confirmed as the gold standard for diagnosis. The sensitivity of Tzanck testing was 77% (10/13), slightly higher than that reported previously (40% to 50%). In this patient group the febrile lymphadenopathic profile was typical of younger patients (18 to 42 years of age), whereas older patients presented with predominantly oral symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis is not limited to children but can affect people of any age. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential, particularly in elderly and immunocompromised patients. Tzanck testing may serve as a useful adjunct in diagnosis. Antiviral agents such as valacyclovir and famciclovir should be considered part of early management. Dentists are often the first health care professionals to be consulted by patients with this condition, and recognition of the infection is paramount. (+info)
Review article: oral ulceration--aetiopathogenesis, clinical diagnosis and management in the gastrointestinal clinic.
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Oral ulceration is a common complaint of patients attending out-patient clinics. The aim of this review is to provide the gastroenterologist with a differential diagnosis of oral ulceration, and a practical guide for the management of recurrent aphthous stomatitis, including topical and systemic therapy. The association of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with Behcet's disease and other systemic disorders, including coeliac disease, is discussed. Recent evidence concerning the immunopathogenesis of Behcet's disease is reviewed, including renewed interest in the role of Streptococcus sanguis and possible infectious triggering of an inappropriate immunoinflammatory response, resulting in tissue damage. The efficacy and limitations of conventional treatment for this mutisystem disorder are outlined together with the potential role of novel biological agents, such as anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy. Oral ulceration, as a manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease and a complication of drug therapy, is described. Guidance is given concerning indications for referral of patients with oral ulceration to an oral physician/surgeon for further investigations, including biopsy if appropriate. (+info)