Two sticky traps baited with synthetic host odors to capture Triatoma infestans, an important vector of Chagas disease

Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted by triatomine insects. Triatoma infestans is one of the main vectors. Efforts to eliminate T. infestans have often failed in the Gran Chaco, the largest endemic area of this species. Known methods for assessing triatomine house infestation include timed-manual collections by skilled personnel, bug notifications by householders' and/or non-baited detection devices. However, the detection sensitivity of those methods needs to be improved, especially when the bugs are present at low densities. In this work we design and evaluate the performance of two types of sticky traps (pitfall and climbing traps), when baited with a synthetic host odor lure, to capture T. infestans nymphs within an experimental box under semi-controlled laboratory conditions. Nine assays were conducted for each type of trap using a different experimental box per type of trap design and per treatment. These treatments were: test (T, trap baited with the synthetic lure), positive control (C+, trap baited with a mouse) and negative control (C-, empty trap). One hundred percent of the sticky pitfall and 89% of the climbing traps baited with the synthetic lure captured at least one insect. Moreover, the sticky pitfall trap and the sticky climbing trap, both baited with the synthetic lure, captured 30% and 40% of the insects in a single night, respectively. In both cases, the trap with the synthetic lure captured significantly more insects than the non-baited trap. However, the synthetic lure could be improved, as the traps with this lure captured significantly less insects than the traps with a live host. In summary, the two types of synthetically-baited traps tested were able to capture T. infestans nymphs, indicating that both designs are effective under the laboratory experimental conditions and insect abundance used in this work. These traps deserve to be tested in a field setting.

Follow-up of first permanent molar restorative treatment with and without Molar Hypomineralization

Hypomineralization (MH) are controversial. The aim of this study was to compare need for treatment and status of restorations performed on first permanent molars in patients with and without MH. Retrospective design based on the clinical records of 153 patients who had received comprehensive care in 2014 at the Clinic of the Children's Comprehensive Dentistry Department (FOUBA) by 3 pediatric dentists (Kappa MH 0.94), and who attended periodical follow-up visits for at least 24 months. Need for treatment in first molars, and type and longevity of treatment were recorded (modified Ryge criteria /USPHS, Kappa 0.78). Results were compared between patients with MH and without MH. The Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare follow-up time, the asymptotic test was performed to compare proportions, and relative risk (RR) was calculated to compare need for treatment. Mean follow-up times for the 595 teeth analyzed were 61.7±20.1 months for Group without MH, and 57.5±23.9 months for Group with MH (p=0.0504). The percentages of teeth requiring at least one treatment were 7.2% in Group without MH and 27.5% in Group with MH (RR = 3.80, p <0.001). Of the teeth treated in Group with MH 23.1% required retreatment, while none of the teeth in Group without MH did. The need for treatment was approximately 4 times higher in molars affected with MH, with greater probability of retreatment.

Molar incisor hypomineralization: Analysis of asymmetry of lesions

Clinically, Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) lesions are not distributed symmetrically, and their severity varies even within the same arcade.

AIM

To estimate the frequency of asymmetries in hypomineralized lesions on permanent molars and incisors of children with MIH.

METHODS

Three pediatric dentists, calibrated following the diagnostic criteria of Mathu-Muju and Wright (2006) (Kappa 0.87) identified presence and severity of opacities on molars and incisors of patients with MIH. Six pairs of teeth (permanent maxillary and mandibular first molars, central and lateral incisors) were evaluated in each patient. Degree of lesion severity (0-none, 1-mild, 2-moderate, 3-severe) was recorded for each tooth. For each pair containing any affected teeth, asymmetry of presence (one tooth in the pair with lesion and the other intact), asymmetry of severity (both teeth with lesions but with different degrees of severity) or symmetry of severity (both affected teeth with the same degree of severity) were evaluated. The recorded values were entered into a database to calculate percentages, 95% confidence intervals and Chi-Square test for comparisons.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of475 of the 1032 pairs of teeth evaluated in the 172 patients included in the study, mean age 11±2.2 years, and 50% female. Asymmetry was found for 67.5% (63.1 - 71.7) of the pairs of the studied teeth. There was a significant relationship between asymmetries and symmetries (p=0.038). A total 50.1% of the pairs were asymmetrical for presence of opacities. Of these, 62.2% scored severity 1 (mild). Symmetry of severity was found for 32.5% of the lesions. Among the pairs of affected teeth, the most frequently observed degrees of lesion severity were mild and moderate, with the exception of lower molars, in which 49% had severe lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, MIH lesions were asymmetrical both in presence and severity for all tooth types.

Comparison of Mineral Density in Molar Incisor Hypomineralization applying fluoride varnishes and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate

The aim of the present work was to evaluate and compare variations in mineral density (MD) using laser-induced fluorescence (LF) after applying 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish (Duraphat®), 5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish with Tricalcium Phosphate (Clinpro®) or Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (Recaldent®) on teeth with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH). Mineral density of 92 MIH teeth with mild (Mi) and moderate (Mo) lesions was assessed using a DIAGNOdent device (KaVo, Biberach, Germany). LF values were recorded on day 0 (baseline) and on days 15, 30 and 45; the remineralizing agents were applied immediately after LF readings at baseline and on days 15 and 30. Data corresponding to Mi and Mo lesions were analyzed separately. Significant differences were observed both in mild (p<0.01) and moderate (p<0.000005) lesions. Differences between Recaldent® and Clinpro®, and between Duraphat® and Clinpro® (global level 0.10) were found in Mi lesions. All 3 pairs ofproducts differed significantly in Mo lesions (global level 0.05). The results obtained under the conditions used here allow concluding that Clinpro® was more effective in mild lesions whereas Duraphat® was more effective in moderate lesions.