Browsing by Author "Stephen, Lawrence X.G.S."

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    BANA-positive plaque samples are associated with oral hygiene practices and not CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-positive patients
    (Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2012) John, Cathy N.; Stephen, Lawrence X.G.S.; Africa, Charlene W.J.
    Background. The “red complex” microorganisms, namely, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia are considered as potential pathogens causing HIV-associated periodontal diseases. Moreover, it has been recognized that an association exists between CD4+ T cell counts and periodontal disease progression. Objective. To establish whether CD4+ T cell counts or oral hygiene plays a greater role in producing BANA-positive results in HIV-associated periodontal disease. Materials and Methods. One hundred and twenty HIV-positive patients participated in the study, and their CD4+ T cell counts were obtained from their medical records. The six Ramfjord teeth were used for evaluating periodontal clinical indices and subgingival plaque sampling. BANA test was used for the detection and prevalence of the “red complex” bacteria in plaque samples. Results.Amajority of 69.17% HIV-positive patients were BANA-positive. No significant associations were found between BANA and CD4+ T cell counts. A highly significant association was found between BANA with probing depth and clinical attachment level (P ≤ 0.0001) and between BANA and the use of interdental aids (P = 0.0168). Conclusion. HIV-associated periodontal diseases are strongly related to oral hygiene practices rather than the effect of CD4+ T cell counts, and the use of interdental aids was marked as a significant predictor of BANA-negative plaque samples.
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    Cleidocranial dysplasia: a review of the dental, historical, and practical implications with an overview of the South African experience
    (Elsevier, 2013) Roberts, Tina; Stephen, Lawrence X.G.S.; Beighton, Peter
    Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an uncommon but well-known genetic skeletal condition. Several hundred affected persons are members of a large extended family in the Cape Town Mixed Ancestry community of South Africa. The clinical manifestations are often innocuous, but hyperdontia and other developmental abnormalities of the teeth are a major feature and may require special dental management. Over the past 40 years, the authors have encountered more than 100 affected persons in Cape Town. Emphasis has been on dental management, but medical, genetic, and social problems have also been addressed. In this article, we have reviewed the manifestations of the disorder in the light of our own experience, and performed a literature search with emphasis on the various approaches to dental management and treatment options in CCD. Advances in the understanding of the biomolecular pathogenesis of CCD are outlined and the international and local history of the disorder is documented.
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    The imaging characteristics of odontogenic myxoma and a comparison of three different imaging modalities
    (Elsevier, 2013) Kheir, Eman; Stephen, Lawrence X.G.S.; Nortje, Christoffel; Janse van Rensburg, Leon; Titinchi, Fadi
    OBJECTIVE. To report the imaging characteristics of odontogenic myxoma (OM) and compare the different imaging modalities used. STUDY DESIGN. The radiological images of 33OMcases were retrospectively analyzed. The radiographs were severally examined to describe the features of OM as seen on conventional radiographs (CRs), computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance images (MRIs). RESULTS. MRI was effective in displaying the true extension and contents of OMs. CT scans demonstrated the extensions of OMs, expansion, growth pattern, and rendered it possible to compare density of OM with that of surrounding muscles. Assessment of CRs revealed great limitations about the diagnostic values and failed to display important features. Conclusions. All 3 radiographic techniques, conventional radiography, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have inherent advantages and disadvantages; however, all 3 should be routinely used in the diagnosis of OM. The results of CTand MRI can accurately reveal margins of tumors and greatly aid in diagnosis.
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    An in-vitro analysis of the antimicrobial efficacy of herbal toothpastes on selected primary plaque colonizers
    (iMD Publishers, 2011) Peck, Mogammad T.; Africa, Charlene W.J.; Stephen, Lawrence X.G.S.; Marnewick, Johan; Majeed, Abdul
    Plaque associated oral disease affects a considerable portion of the population and is considered one of the major causes of tooth loss. In most cases toothbrushing only removes a limited amount of dental plaque and other chemical agents are required to reduce the bacterial load. Aims & objectives: The purpose of study was to determine whether there was any significant difference in the antimicrobial activity of 4 herbal toothpastes against cultures of 3 primary plaque colonizers. Methods: A total of 5 toothpastes were tested for their antimicrobial efficacy against Streptococcus mutans (NCTC 10920), Streptococcus sanguinis (NCTC 10904) and a non-specific α-heamolytic streptococcus by agar diffusion method. The data were collected and analysed using one way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison test significant at p<0.05. Results: Dentazyme® herbal toothpaste showed the greatest ability to inhibit bacterial growth for all the tested organisms (p<0.05). Nature Fresh had the lowest potential for antimicrobial activity. Conclusions: Dentazyme® Herbal toothpaste was the only herbal toothpaste to inhibit the growth of all the bacteria tested and had similar antimicrobial efficacy to a triclosan containing toothpaste (Colgate® Total®).
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    Is human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) stage an independent risk factor for altering the periodontal status of HIV-positive patients? A South African study
    (BioMed Central, 2013) John, Cathy N.; Stephen, Lawrence X.G.S.; Africa, Charlene W.J.
    Background: The immunosuppresion in HIV patients makes them highly susceptible to microbial infections. The aim of the study was to establish whether HIV stage (as depicted by CD4+ T lymphocyte counts) could independently be associated with periodontal status (as revealed by the measurement of clinical indices). Methods: One hundred and twenty HIV-infected patients attending an infectious diseases clinic in the Western Cape, South Africa were included in the study. The periodontal clinical indices such as plaque index, gingival index, pocket probing depth and clinical attachment levels were measured on the mesial aspect of the six Ramfjord teeth. The CD4 + T cell counts were taken from the patients’ medical records and patients’ HIV stage determined and grouped according to their CD4+ T cell counts into A (<200 cells /mm3), B (200–500 cells /mm3) and C (>500 cells /mm3). Results: The mean age of 120 HIV-positive patients was 33.25 years and the mean CD4 + T cell count was 293.43 cells/mm3. The probing depth and clinical attachment loss were found to be significantly associated with the total CD4 + T cell counts but not with HIV stage. Significant correlations were found between age and all clinical indices except for clinical attachment loss. No correlation was found between age and HIV stage of the patients. The use of antiretroviral therapy was significantly associated with probing depth and clinical attachment loss, but not with plaque nor gingival index. Significant associations were observed between smoking and all of the clinical indices except for the gingival index. A significant association was observed between the use of interdental aids and all the clinical indices except for probing depth, while brushing was significantly associated with plaque index only. CD4 + T cell counts were significantly associated with brushing frequency (p = 0.0190) and the use of interdental aids (p = 0.0170). Conclusion: The findings of this study conclude that HIV stage, ART and age are not independent risk factors for changes in the periodontal status of HIV-positive subjects but rather that smoking and oral hygiene habits determine their susceptibility to disease.
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    Osteogenesis imperfecta type III in South Africa: Psychosocial challenges
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2016) Stephen, Lawrence X.G.S.; Roberts, Tina; van Hayden, E.; Chetty, M.
    Individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta type III (OI III) are severely physically disabled due to frequent fracturing. Their disability poses numerous barriers that challenge their social development. Despite these limitations, several affected persons are able to rise above these problems and achieve success in their personal and professional life. This outcome is directly relevant to their psychosocial development. The achievements of five individuals with OI III living in Cape Town are highlighted in this article, as well as the challenges that they have experienced and continue to experience in their daily lives. The authors intend to promulgate understanding of the psychosocial circumstances of affected persons, thereby facilitating the deployment of appropriate efforts and resources to address these challenges.