Oro-facial manifestations, microbial study and salivary enzyme analysis in patients with β-thalassemia major

Abstract EN

Background : Thalassemia is a hereditary anemia resulting from defects in hemoglobin production.

Beta Thalassemia, caused by a decrease in the production of β-globin chains, affects multiple organs and associated with considerable morbidity and mortality.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of oro-facial manifestations, isolating and identifying different microorganisms (aerobic, anaerobic and fungi) from oral micro flora and to detect the enzyme level in saliva of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) in β-thalassemia patients and compare with healthy control. Materials and methods : The study samples consist of (56) β-thalassemia major patients, (25) healthy group of both sexes, with age range from (10-30) years. Results : The most frequent Oro-facial manifestation in patients with β-thalassemia major in our study was saddle nose, rodent face and maxillary protrusion respectively.

the main bacterial isolates were α-hemolytic streptococci, Neisseria, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus albus.

Anaerobic bacteria like Peptostreptococcus and fungi like Candida albicans were identified.

A highly significant difference was found between thalassaemic patients and controls regarding AST&ALT.

this study showed a non significant difference in the prevalence of micro-organisms between patients with β-thalassemia major and healthy control, except for Neisseria.

A highly significant difference of AST and ALT enzymes in thalassemia patients founded as compared to healthy control. Conclusions : Frequent oral examination and application of oral preventive measures for thalassaemic patients is mandatory.