Background & objectives:Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection is well known to induce a spectrum of acute and chronic liver diseases. There has been global decline in the prevalence of hepatitis D infection. The aim of the present study was to know the presence of acute HDV infection among hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive cancer patients.Methods:A total of 5043 samples were subjected for routine testing of HBV, HIV and HCV by ELISA method. Further, 150 HbsAg positive samples were tested for HDV IgM detection by ELISA method.Results:Of the 5043 blood samples tested in the laboratory, 150 (2.97%) were positive for HBsAg. HDV IgM was negative in all HbsAg positive samples.Interpretation & conclusions:Acute infection by HDV (IgM detection) was not present in HBsAg positive cancer patients. Further studies on a large number of patients in different regions are required to confirm our preliminary findings.

Background: Lately, a paradigm shift from radical to conservative approach has popularized the selective caries removal over complete excavation in deep caries. Indirect pulp therapy over pulpotomy is being preferred due to risk of questionable pulp vitality in carious exposure of pulp. Silver diamine fluoride can be a useful tool for noninvasive caries management due to its antimicrobial and remineralization properties. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the success of minimum intervention approach using silver-modified atraumatic restorative technique (SMART) as indirect pulp treatment compared to conventional vital pulp therapy in symptomless deep carious lesions of primary molars. Materials and Methods: In this comparative, prospective, double-blinded, clinical interventional study, 60 asymptomatic primary molar teeth with international caries detection and assessment system score 4–6 were selected in children aged 4–8 years and were randomly allocated into SMART and conventional groups. The success of the treatment approach was assessed using clinical and radiographic criteria at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months interval. Results: Data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-Square test at a significance level of 0.05. Conventional group showed 100% and SMART observed 96.15% clinical success at 12 months follow up (P > 0.05). One radiographic failure due to internal resorption at 6 months in SMART and one in the conventional group at 12 months was reported though the difference was insignificant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Removal of all infected dentin in deep carious lesions is not required for successful caries treatment and SMART can be recommended as a potential biologic approach to manage asymptomatic deep dentinal lesions, based on optimal case selection.

Introduction: Recently, child-friendly non-invasive or minimally invasive approach with the primary goal of preserving tooth structure, the best possible has gained momentum in management of caries disease as compared to conventional invasive surgical approach. The clinical relevance of antimicrobial and remineralising benefits of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) along with atraumatic restorative treatment in managing non-cavitated lesions is yet to be established. This research was conducted with the aim to compare the efficacy of novel silver modified atraumatic restorative technique (SMART) sealants to the gold standard resin-based sealants in managing occlusal enamel caries. Methodology: A total of 66 children with at least one pair of fully erupted contralateral first permanent molars with ICDAS II codes 1 and 2 were randomly allocated for this split-mouth study into two groups: Group - SMART sealant and Group – resin-based sealant. The sealants were applied according to the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry guidelines and were evaluated at the end of 3rd, 6th, and 12th months. The clinical performance of sealants was gauged based on their retention and caries preventive effect. The data were statistically analysed using the Chi-square test at significance level P < 0.05 using SPSS, IBM version 23.0. Results: At 12 months’ follow-up, 60.65% teeth in the resin group and 49.18% in SMART group had fully retentive sealants (P = 0.02). The caries occurrence at the end of the study was 8.19% in SMART as compared to 21.31% in resin sealant group and was statistically significant (P = 0.041). Conclusion: The resin-based sealants were more retentive as compared to SMART; however, the SMART sealants were superior in preventing caries. The use of SDF beneath GIC in atraumatic restorative sealants can provide protective effect against caries occurrence in the absence of sealant retention.

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