Mucosal pH, dental findings, and salivary composition in pediatric liver transplant recipients

Oral findings in children on liver transplantation programming: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To identify oral characteristics found in children with liver disease in programming for liver transplantation.

DATA SOURCE

The methodology was written according to PRISMA-ScR. We adopted the methodological framework and recommendations for this type of review by Arksey and O'Malley and the Joanna Briggs Institute. The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QCU4W). A systematic search (Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest) was conducted to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria: systematic reviews; prospective clinical trials (parallel or crossover group designs); observational studies (cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies); clinical case series; and case reports evaluating children with liver disease in preparation for transplantation. The last search was conducted in July 2021, and no restrictions were imposed as to language or year of publication. Studies presenting mixed data with post-transplant evaluation, and studies evaluating not only liver transplantation but also other solid organs were excluded. Screening, inclusion, and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. A narrative synthesis was conducted to describe the findings of the study.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The bibliographic search identified 830 references. A total of 21 articles were read in their entirety after the inclusion criteria assessment. Finally, after evaluating the exclusion criteria, only 3 studies were considered for the qualitative analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with liver disease in preparation for transplantation may present enamel defects, tooth pigmentation, caries, gingivitis, and opportunistic infections such as candidiasis.

Salivary Assessments in Post-Liver Transplantation Patients

Saliva is in the first line of the body's defense mechanism. In order to better understand how liver transplantation impacts salivary biochemistry, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore variations of salivary markers for oral health in post-liver transplantation patients, as compared with systemically healthy dental outpatients (controls). In this case, 26 patients were enrolled in each group, with similar socio-demographic characteristics. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected; total protease activity and total protein content were measured. The oral health in both groups was assessed using a self-report oral health questionnaire. Data were analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests. Comparable results were recorded in terms of salivary protein and protease activity assessments. In post-liver transplantation group, positive correlation was found between the salivary pH level and the salivary secretion rate (r = 0.39; p = 0.04). With respect to self-reported oral health, there were no significant differences between the two groups, except for dental and oral care habits, the controls reporting more frequently use of dental floss and mouthwash (p = 0.02, and p = 0.003, respectively). Considering the high risk for developing systemic complications after liver transplantation, oral health care is an important issue to be addressed, salivary investigations representing powerful tool for disease changes monitoring.

The association between oral health status and the clinical outcome of cirrhotic patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation

Liver transplantation (LT) candidates often present with poor oral hygiene, which could potentially lead to systemic infections and sepsis owing to their cirrhotic state. In this study, we investigated the oral health status of LT candidates and propose guidance for the detection and treatment of encountered oral lesions among these patients. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index was determined through oral examination. The presence of dental calculus was detected using panoramic radiography and defined by the radiopaque dental calculus (RDC). From January 2011 to August 2018, 56 LT candidates were enrolled with a median follow-up of 39 months. The overall mean numbers of decayed, missing, and filled teeth among these patients were 2.7 ± 2.8, 10.9 ± 8.3, and 5.4 ± 4.5, respectively. Eighteen patients (32.1%) had RDC. The 5-year survival rates of all 56 patients was 57.7%, while that of those who either received LT (23 patients) or not were 82.1% and 39.8%, respectively. A Cox regression model revealed better overall survival of patients after LT (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.067, p = 0.001), worse survival among patients with RDC (aHR = 3.468, p = 0.010), at Child-Pugh stages B and C (aHR for stage B = 11.889, p = 0.028; aHR for stage C = 19.257, p = 0.013) compared to patients at Child-Pugh stage A, and those with a model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score ≥25 (aHR = 13.721, p = 0.018). This study demonstrates that RDC was associated with worse prognosis in LT candidates. We therefore recommend that interprofessional collaboration should be a routine preoperative procedure for the evaluation of oral hygiene among LT candidates.

Salivary biochemical variables in liver transplanted children and young adults

PURPOSE

To investigate associations between levels of blood parameters used to monitor liver-transplanted children with their salivary levels, and compare the salivary parameters of transplant recipients with those of healthy controls.

METHODS

Saliva and blood samples from 30 liver transplanted recipients, mean age 11.7 years and saliva from age and sex matched 27 healthy patients were analyzed using a standard complete blood count test.

RESULTS

Uric acid and alkaline phosphatase levels correlated significantly between saliva and blood samples in the transplanted subjects. Median salivary sodium level was significantly lower and the median salivary potassium level significantly higher in transplant recipients compared with healthy subjects. No differences were found between the groups in salivary glucose, urea, chloride, total protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, uric acid, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), triglycerides, cholesterol, iron, transferrin, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT).

CONCLUSION

Specific correlations of serum and salivary chemistry were found in liver transplant patients. Such information may lead to the development of noninvasive monitoring tools for this population.

Salivary inflammatory cytokines echo the low inflammatory burden in liver-transplanted children

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to compare the salivary cytokine profile, as a potential replacement for blood tests, in liver-transplanted children to that of a control group of healthy children, and to correlate the values of commonly tested laboratory blood tests to those of published blood values.

METHODS

Liver-transplanted children, and a control group of healthy children of the same sex and age distribution, were recruited for the study. Saliva was collected at the same appointment for routine blood tests for the liver-transplanted children. Saliva was also collected from a control group of healthy children with similar age and sex distributions. Normal healthy blood values were extracted from the literature, for comparison. Cytokine levels in the saliva were quantified with ELISA. The analysis compared serum and saliva values between liver-transplanted and healthy children. In the serum, the values of albumin, GIT, GPT, GGT, CRP, WBC, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were examined, while the levels of IL-6, CXCL1, IL-1b, and IL-10 were measured in the saliva.

RESULTS

Thirty liver-transplanted children and 30 healthy children were included in the study. Compared with published data for healthy children, the liver-transplanted group showed similar hepatic serum levels, yet reduced levels of serum inflammatory markers. Compared with the control group, in the transplanted group, the mean value of IL-6 was lower and the mean value of CXCL1 was similar. Interestingly, the anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine was lower in the transplanted group, while the pro-inflammatory IL-1β cytokine was higher.

CONCLUSION

The salivary inflammatory markers examined showed a similar pattern to the serum inflammatory values, though different markers were examined in the serum and saliva.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The current study stresses the potential of oral fluids as an accessible biofluid, for use as a diagnostic substrate for systemic and oral diseases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

0136-16-RMC, Registered on 01 March 2018.

Is dental caries associated with liver transplantation? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the experience of dental caries in individuals pre- or postliver transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid, and Lilacs from databases' inception date up to April 2020 were undertaken. Gray literature and manual searches were also conducted. Observational studies were eligible. The retrieved references were evaluated by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis and risk of bias assessment using the University of Adelaide tool were conducted. The strength of the evidence was assessed with GRADE.

RESULTS

The search retrieved 1990 references. Twenty-four cross-sectional studies were included. One subgroup analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the number of teeth with dental caries between pre-liver transplant and healthy individuals (mean difference = 1.65, confidence interval = -0.87 to 4.17). The prevalence of dental caries among pre-liver transplant individuals was 73.82% and in the post-transplant individuals was 72.83%. In the included studies, the main concern regarding risk of bias was the absence of control for confounding variables. The strength of the evidence was very low.

CONCLUSIONS

Dental caries may be a relevant issue in pre- and postliver transplant individuals. Oral health counseling should be included in the care of pre- and/or postliver transplant individuals.

Clinical periodontal and dental findings in liver transplant patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives This systematic review aimed to investigate the oral health of post-liver transplant recipients (postLTx), in terms of dental and periodontal clinical results.Data sources Pubmed/MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases were searched electronically.Data selection Prospective, cross-sectional and case-control studies comparing periodontal and dental health of postLTx patients with healthy and/or pre-liver transplant patients.Data extraction This was performed independently by two authors. Quality assessment was done by using tools from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Data synthesis Nine studies were eligible for inclusion in the systematic review. A meta-analysis was performed on gingival inflammation, expressed by scores, on four studies including healthy controls. The gingival index scores were significantly higher in postLTx patients compared with healthy controls (p <0.001). The weighted mean difference was 0.91 (95% confidence interval, 0.44 to 1.38, heterogeneity I² = 99.5%). Increased tendency of gingival enlargement was noticed in postLTx patients, especially after immunosuppression with Cyclosporine A. Controversial results were reported for the prevalence of caries in postLTx recipients, but there seems to be an increase.Conclusion The results suggest that patients with liver transplants, due to systemic condition and immunosuppressive therapy, exhibit a higher degree of gingival inflammation compared with unexposed patients.Prospero registration number: CRD42019121893.

Oral Health Status of Kuwaiti Children with a History of Chronic Liver Disease

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the oral health status and dental manifestations of children with a history of chronic liver disease (CLD) compared to healthy children.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty children (15 boys and 5 girls) with a history of CLD were compared to 20 healthy controls matched for age and gender. The clinical examination was carried out by the same dentist. Caries prevalence, using the decayed, missing, and filled primary and permanent teeth indices (dmft/DMFT), was recorded. Developmental enamel defects, plaque scores, and gingival overgrowth were also investigated.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found in mean dmft scores for children with a history of CLD (4.9 ± 5.4) and for healthy individuals (3.9 ± 4.5). However, the mean DMFT score was significantly higher (p =0.025) in children with CLD (4.2 ± 4.6) compared to controls (1.7 ± 1.6). The mean decayed teeth parameter (DT) was also significantly higher in children with CLD (p =0.004). All patients with CLD exhibited enamel defects compared to only 33% in the control group (p< 0.05). A higher mean plaque index was observed in children with a history of CLD (p< 0.001). Also, a positive correlation for gingival overgrowth was noted in patients with a history of CLD (p< 0.05). Green staining was evident only in the permanent dentition of 1 child with CLD.

CONCLUSION

Children with a history of CLD exhibited a high caries prevalence, high plaque scores, and more enamel defects compared to healthy subjects. Gingival overgrowth is less prevalent among pediatric liver transplant patients on tacrolimus therapy.

Oral health of pediatric liver transplant recipients

To evaluate oral health conditions in pediatric liver transplant recipients, with special focus on caries, green staining of the teeth, gingival bleeding, and gingival overgrowth. 40 patients (mean age 11.6 years) were examined at a routine follow-up visit, 6 months to 16 years after liver transplantation at the Swiss Center for Liver Disease in Children. After the medical examination, participants were further examined for the presence of dental caries, periodontal disease, GE, and GTC. The mean decay, missing, and filled teeth (dmft/DMFT) score was 3.8. 45% of the participants presented at least one carious lesion. Two-third of the participants had more than 20% of sites with the presence of plaque and gingival inflammation. Signs of GE were found in 18% and GTC in 30% of the participants. A positive correlation was identified between GTC and peak serum bilirubin (P<.001) and primary diagnosis of cholestatic disease (P=.04). Gingival inflammation was associated with plaque (P<.001), use of immunosuppressive medication (P=.04), and was more pronounced in children with cholestatic disease (P=.007). Children and young adults with liver transplants presented a rather poor oral health status. Liver transplant physicians should counsel patients for regular dental follow-up in order to avoid serious dental infections.