Purpose:The aim of the study was to estimate the salivary levels of Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and Actinomyces and to correlate it with dental caries experience in mixed and permanent dentition.Materials and Methods:The sample size comprised 110 subjects. The decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) index of all the individuals participating in the study was calculated. Saliva samples were collected from patients and samples were inoculated on specific culture media and incubated for a period of 48 h. Based on colony characteristics, S. mutans, Lactobacilli and Actinomyces were identified.Results:A positive correlation exists between DMFT and S. mutans, Lactobacilli and Actinomyces in mixed dentition and permanent dentition group samples (P < 0.001).Conclusion:The conclusion from the results obtained was that S. Mutans, lactobacilli and Actinomyces which are the components of the normal microbial flora of the oral cavity play an important role in the pathogenesis of dental caries and increased number of microorganisms is associated with an increased caries frequency.

Background and Objectives:This study aims at the observation of the immunohistochemical expression of laminin in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of salivary gland origin and to analyze the distribution of laminin in various components of the tumor and correlate the expression of laminin with the growth and differentiation of the tumor.Materials and Methods:Thirty cases of ACC were subjected to immunohistochemical study using polyclonal antihuman laminin primary antibody, distribution of laminin in each case of ACC was observed in the following areas: Intracellularly, inner borders of the pseudocystic spaces, within the lumen of the pseudocysts, around the tumor islands and in the intervening stroma.Results:Laminin positivity was observed in the inner aspect of the pseudocystic spaces in 15 cases, within the lumen of pseudocystic spaces in 22 cases, in the intervening stroma in 20 cases, bordering the tumor islands in 16 cases and intracellularly in 4 cases.Interpretation and Conclusion:Based on these observations, it can be assumed that laminin plays a major role in proliferation of the tumor cells and in pseudocyst formation. Thus, laminin might play a significant role in the growth and differentiation of ACC and also help in assessing the prognosis of the tumor.

Background:Patients undergoing radiation therapy for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have an increased risk of developing oral candidiasis. Radiation-induced hyposalivation is thought to be a major predisposing factor for it. Radiation therapy for 2–3 weeks leads to increase in the number of candidal species in the oral cavity, eventually leading to oral candidiasis.Objective:To evaluate and correlate the prevalence of candidal species in the oral cavity of OSCC patients and to compare with radiation dosage at 3rd and 6th week following radiotherapy.Materials and Methods:This study includes fifty patients undergoing radiation therapy for OSCC. Patients were examined at 3rd and 6th week following radiation therapy, and smear samples were obtained from lesional sites and the radiation dose was recorded. Smear samples were cultured on CHROMagar, and identification of various candidal species was done on the basis of colony color and their morphology.Results:The present study isolated four types of candidal species, namely, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei. All the organisms, except C. krusei, showed a significant increase from 3rd to 6th week of radiotherapy whereas C. glabrata and C. tropicalis showed a sudden exponential increase. Total radiation dosage did not show any correlation to candidal colonization at 3rd and 6th week following radiotherapy.Conclusion:OSCC patients undergoing radiotherapy show an increase in candidal colonization which is independent of radiation dosage and may be related to other factors. However, such findings should be further evaluated using a larger sample size.