Browsing by Author "Stephen, Lawrence"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    More men than women make mucosal IgA antibodies to Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) and HPV-18: a study of oral HPV and oral HPV antibodies in a normal healthy population
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2006) Marais, Dianne; Sampson, Candice; Jeftha, Anthea; Dhaya, Dherendra; Passmore, Jo-Ann; Denny, Lynette; Rybicki, Edward; Van Der Walt, Eric; Stephen, Lawrence; Williamson, Anna-Lise
    BACKGROUND:We have previously shown the high prevalence of oral anti-human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) antibodies in women with HPV-associated cervical neoplasia. It was postulated that the HPV antibodies were initiated after HPV antigenic stimulation at the cervix via the common mucosal immune system. The present study aimed to further evaluate the effectiveness of oral fluid testing for detecting the mucosal humoral response to HPV infection and to advance our limited understanding of the immune response to HPV. METHODS: The prevalence of oral HPV infection and oral antibodies to HPV types 16, 18 and 11 was determined in a normal, healthy population of children, adolescents and adults, both male and female, attending a dental clinic. HPV types in buccal cells were determined by DNA sequencing. Oral fluid was collected from the gingival crevice of the mouth by the OraSure method. HPV-16, HPV-18 and HPV-11 antibodies in oral fluid were detected by virus-like particle-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. As a reference group 44 women with cervical neoplasia were included in the study. RESULTS: Oral HPV infection was highest in children (9/114, 7.9%), followed by adolescents (4/78, 5.1%), and lowest in normal adults (4/116, 3.5%). The predominant HPV type found was HPV-13 (7/22, 31.8%) followed by HPV-32 (5/22, 22.7%). The prevalence of oral antibodies to HPV-16, HPV-18 and HPV-11 was low in children and increased substantially in adolescents and normal adults. Oral HPV-16 IgA was significantly more prevalent in women with cervical neoplasia (30/44, 68.2%) than the women from the dental clinic (18/69, 26.1% P = 0.0001). Significantly more adult men than women displayed oral HPV-16 IgA (30/47 compared with 18/69, OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.09-12.1, P < 0.001) and HPV-18 IgA (17/47 compared with 13/69, OR 2.4, 95% CI 0.97-6.2, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The increased prevalence of oral HPV antibodies in adolescent individuals compared with children was attributed to the onset of sexual activity. The increased prevalence of oral anti-HPV IgA in men compared with women was noteworthy considering reportedly fewer men than women make serum antibodies, and warrants further investigation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Orthodontic management of achondroplasia in South Africa
    (2005) Stephen, Lawrence; Holmes, Haly; Roberts, Tina; Fieggen, Karen; Beighton, Peter
    Achondroplasia is a relatively common genetic skeletal dysplasia that manifests with stunted stature and disproportionate limb shortening. Characteristic craniofacial features include a prominent forehead, depressed nasal bridge and maxillary hypoplasia. It is probable that there are between 500 and 1 000 persons with achondroplasia in South Africa, and it is inevitable that they will seek consultation and care in general and specialised dental practices. In this context, it is relevant that dental and orthodontic management is constrained by practical problems associated with upper airway obstruction and other primary and secondary syndromic components. In order to provide a perspective on the situation in South Africa, we assessed the special oro-dental needs of 10 affected children. Our findings are presented here.