Oral manifestations related to dengue fever: a systematic review of the literature

Oral Complications related to tropical infectious Diseases: an introduction and analysis of survey data

BACKGROUNDS

The non-indigenous tropical infectious diseases that occur in the non-tropics arise from personnel communication between locals and visitors. Many of these infectious diseases involve oral complications. It is very important for practitioners to manage such cases based on a clear understanding of the association between tropical infectious diseases and oral health. In this study, we summarize the oral complications related to tropical infectious diseases and investigate the understanding of infectious disease practitioners in relation to the association between these conditions. In addition, we provide supportive advice to facilitate the oral management of tropical infectious diseases.

METHODS

First, we investigate the oral complications related to tropical infectious diseases by performing an appropriate literature search. Then, we analyzed the understanding of 207 Chinese practitioners specializing in infectious diseases in relation to the association between these two conditions by applying a bespoke online questionnaire.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed that the Chinese practitioners had very poor attitudes and knowledge relating to the association between tropical infectious diseases and oral health. Different backgrounds had no significant impact on the understanding of Chinese practitioners with regards to the association between tropical infectious diseases and oral health.

CONCLUSION

Many oral complications are related to tropical infectious diseases. The understanding of Chinese practitioners with regards to the association between infectious disease and oral health was very inadequate. It is essential to promote publicity and education relating to infectious tropical diseases and oral health.

Investigation of the understanding on tropical infectious diseases and oral health among dental professionals in China

Background

With the increasing exchange of domestic and international personnel, local infections of tropical infectious diseases are continuing in tropics and imported infections are emerging in non-tropics, some of which are accompanied by oral manifestations. Therefore, it is essential for dental professionals to identify the related oral manifestations, who are working for domestic medical service, international medical assistance, peace-keeping medical service or medical support of international joint military exercises. This study aims to investigate the attitude and knowledge of Chinese dental professionals on tropical infectious diseases and oral health, and to explore the difference between different genders, education backgrounds, professional identities, professional titles and tropics working experience.

Methods

Network questionnaire was used to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of 236 Chinese dental professionals towards tropical infectious diseases and oral health.

Results

The scores of the participants on tropical infectious diseases and oral health were quite low. Although working experience in the tropics partially affected the understanding, there was no difference between different genders, education backgrounds, professional identities and professional titles.

Conclusion

The understanding of dental professionals on tropical infectious diseases and oral health was insufficient. It is necessary to improve the clinical education and management specified with tropical infectious diseases and oral health.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-022-02250-x.

Oral manifestations in chikungunya patients: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Chikungunya fever is considered an abrupt onset arbovirus transmitted by mosquitoes, mainly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The disease has a significant impact on the quality of life of affected persons, and many of its numerous symptoms have not yet been properly clarified, such as the manifestations that can occur in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to identify the main oral manifestations related to chikungunya fever, as well as describe the demographic characteristics of patients, by conducting a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Searches were performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Elsevier), LILACS (VHL), Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CAPES electronic databases for theses and dissertations published up to January 16, 2021 without language and date restrictions. Additional manual searches of gray literature, reference list, and Google Scholar were carried out. We included 27 studies highlighting mainly oral manifestations that cause masticatory discomfort such as ulcers and oral thrush, gingival bleeding, pain and burning of the oral mucous membranes, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthralgia, opportunistic infections, and changes in taste.

CONCLUSIONS

There seems to be a predominance of oral manifestations that cause discomfort when chewing, such as ulcerations in the acute phase of the disease, with complete remission within 3 to 10 days after the onset, apparently mostly affecting women and older persons. These oral manifestations can be compatible with basic viral infections related to inflammatory response and transitory immunosuppression.