Upper Respiratory Tract In Patients Research Articles

Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-18, IL-33) at the level of the mucous membrane, the entry point of infection, in persons who have experienced COVID-19 disease

Introduction. The mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is the entrance gate for a large number of infections, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That is why the main task of the immune system of the mucous membranes of the entrance gate of infection is to maintain respiratory function. High production of proinflammatory cytokines, which play a key role in the development of severe COVID-19 infection, leads to detrimental consequences for all body systems. Their long-term influence can not only aggravate chronic pathologies, but also significantly increase the recovery period, leading to a decrease in the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to study the expression of IL-18 and IL-33 genes at the level of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract in patients who have had COVID-19 disease. Materials and methods. The present study involved patients who had moderate or severe COVID-19. The control group consisted of relatively healthy individuals. The expression levels of IL-18 and IL-33 were detected using RT-PCR. Results. During the entire period of rehabilitation after suffering from COVID-19, patients showed a tendency to increase the level of IL-18 expression at the level of the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and oropharynx. The level of IL-33 production was also increased, but varied depending on the location and period of sample collection. Conclusion. This increase in the level of IL-18 during the rehabilitation period of patients after COVID-19 may be explained by the fact that the virus, by activating glia through olfactory receptor neurons, triggers a powerful immune response and promotes the production of a large number of pro-inflammatory cytokines. On the contrary, overexpression of IL-33 in the late stages of rehabilitation is most likely associated with its ability to restore barrier tissues of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Thus, we can conclude that the virus promotes excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the amount of which increases maximally at the 6th month of rehabilitation after suffering from COVID-19.

Secretory IgA in patients with COVID-19 at different regimens of using multicomponent vaccine Immunovac-VP-4

The mucosal immunity performs an important function in prevention of respiratory infections including COVID-19. The search for approaches to activate the synthesis of post-infectious antibodies by correcting the factors of innate and adaptive immunity at mucous membranes of respiratory tract in patients with infection caused by the new coronavirus may be relevant for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. The aim of our study was to assess the concentrations of sIgA in the upper respiratory tract in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Coronavirus infection caused by the COVID-19, and to evaluate the effect of an immunostimulating drug of bacterial origin upon the sIgA secretion.
 The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 45), received basic therapy; group 2 (n = 33), in addition to basic therapy, received the bacterial vaccine Immunovac-VP-4 according to a combined scheme. The biomaterial sampling was carried out by scraping of epithelial cells from the nasal mucosa, pharyngeal scraping and salivary gland secretion on days 1, 14 and 30 of the study. sIgA levels in all biological fluids were studied using ELISA technique (JSC Vector-Best, Russia).
 14 days after the start of observation, the dynamics of sIgA levels in nasal scrapings in group 1showed a significant decrease relative to the baseline values (p = 0.02), whereas the level of sIgA remained unchanged during the specified period (p = 0.07) in the group of patients receiving, along with basic therapy, additional Immunovac-VP-4 treatment. The dynamics of sIgA level in pharyngeal scrapings in the group of patients receiving only basic therapy did not change throughout the study period. Menwhile, the group of patients receiving basic therapy supplemented with Immunovac-VP-4 showed a significant increase in sIgA levels by the 30th day of follow-up over the baseline values (p = 0.02). The level of sIgA in salivary gland secretions did not differ significantly between the study groups during the entire follow-up period.
 The results of our study showed that, in order to assess the state of mucosal immunity in patients with COVID-19, one may recommend determination of sIgA in nasal secretions. The Immunovac-VP-4 prescribed in complex therapy is accompanied by an increase in the sIgA levels at the mucous surfaces of the respiratory tract.

POSITION OF HEADS OF THE TEMPOROMANDABULARY JOINT AND LINEAR DIMENSIONS OF UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IN PATIENTS WITH SKELETAL SAGITAL BITE ANOMALIES

Maxillofacial anomalies not only affect aesthetics but also contribute to temporomandibular joint disease. The position of the temporomandibular joint and occlusal factors can influence the airway patency therefore medical interventions should aim at restoring normal breathing, treating TMJ and muscles, and then correcting the occlusion. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the position of the lower jaw, position of TMJ heads, and changes in upper respiratory tract in patients with Class I and II skeletal sagittal bite anomalies according to Angle's classification.
 Cone-beam computer tomograms of 64 patients were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the ANB angle. The position of the temporomandibular joint heads was determined using N. Gelb's method in the mid-sagittal plane, while the linear parameters of the upper respiratory tract were assessed using the McNamara method. Regardless of the bite pathology, only 12.5% of patients (n=8) exhibited the correct symmetrical position of the TMJ heads on both sides according to the Gelb grid. In the 1st group, the average width of the upper and lower parts of the pharynx measured by the McNamara method was 17.41±0.44mm and 10.1±0.73mm, respectively. In the 2nd group, the average width of the upper part was 15.82±0.61mm, and the lower part measured 10.25±0.51mm. Among orthodontic patients with Class I and II bite anomalies, only a small percentage (12.5%) was found to have the correct and symmetrical position of the temporomandibular joint. The reduction in the width of the lower respiratory tract in these patients may be associated with posterior displacement of the temporomandibular joint heads.

THE POSITION OF THE TONGUE AND VOLUME OF THE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IN PATIENTS WITH MALOCCLUSION

This study is a fragment of the planned research work "Features of rehabilitation of orthodontic patients in various ages" state registration No. 022U201229.
 Malocclusion and functional disorders that accompany them are not only a health problem, but also a rather important aspect in the process of personality formation and adaptation in society. To increase the effectiveness at the beginning of orthodontic treatment and stability in the retention period, it is important to take into account the etiological factor that led to the occurrence of malocclusion.
 In order to study and evaluate the position of the tongue in patients with malocclusion, to identify the influence and relationship on the patency of the upper respiratory tract, the volume of the oropharyngeal area was measured according to the McNamara’s method, the size and position of the tongue on cone-beam computer tomograms of orthodontic patients on the Donders’s residual space.
 The average indicators of the volume of the upper respiratory tract in patients with class I are 10.103±1.27 cm3, in patients with class II by 0.8 cm3 less 9.3±0.706 cm3.
 In patients with class I, the average parameters of the space of Donders are 4.4379±0.8077 mm. In patients with class II, the average values were lower 2.6667±0.3609 mm (р˂0.5). The distribution of patients by gender shows that in men the position of the tongue (space of Donders) had average indicators of 2.411±0.318 mm, in women the average indicators were almost 2 times higher and amounted to 4.603±0.754 mm, which is typical for the displacement of the tongue to the bottom, i.e. lower position of the tongue (р˂0.01). That is, the volume of the respiratory tract depends on the skeletal structure of the pathology, in other words, the morphology of the thoracic duct in the sagittal plane.
 Cephalometric analysis of the interaction of the airways and the tongue in orthodontic patients on TRG is quite limited compared to the CBCT image, as the CBCT enables a three-dimensional study of the shape and volume of the upper respiratory tract, the position of the tongue at rest.
 The position of the tongue has a rather insignificant effect on the type of malocclusion in the sagittal plane, but it has a rather large effect on the formation of the pathology in the vertical plane, which is the subject of research in future works.

Assessment of clinical data and the species composition of pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of patients with COVID-19 AND Determination of sensitivity to essential etiotropic drugs

Objective. To comparatively analyze the clinical and microbiological data of outpatients with COVID-19 who took a bacteriophage-based drug and who did not. Subjects and methods. The investigation involved 42 outpatients with COVID-19 who were divided into two groups: a study group of 30 patients who received standard therapy for COVID-19, as well as an oral bacteriophage-based drug (15 ml thrice a day for 10 days); a control group of 12 patients who had only the standard COVID-19 therapy. After 10 days of therapy, the clinical manifestations of the disease were comparatively evaluated in the examined groups. A repeated study of the material for bacterial microflora to assess the eradication of the pathogenic microflora in the respiratory tract was conducted on day 21 after the start of therapy. Results. Klebsiella pneumoniae (77%), Staphylococcus aureus (17%), and streptococci (Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus pyogenes) (6%) were identified in the structure of bacterial pathogens in patients with COVID-19. Microbiological monitoring revealed multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in 50% of the patients; that sensitive to antibiotics in 26.7% of cases and that sensitive to a bacteriophage in 100%. The investigation results showed that the use of a polyvalent K. pneumoniae bacteriophage in patients with COVID-19 to prevent bacterial complications contributed to a significant (p < 0.001) elimination of K. pneumoniae. The pathogen isolation rate in the study group decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Thus, the use of phage therapy in combination with etiotropic therapy can be recommended to prevent bacterial complications in patients with COVID-19.

Detection of bacterial co-infection in patients with severe influenza

Viral infections engender bacterial colonization in the host by causing alteration in the innate immune response to common bacterial pathogens. These alterations may lead to severe bacterial pneumonia during influenza. Bacterial co-infection is common in influenza pneumonia and increases morbidity and mortality. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, research in viral diseases has intensified. With this study, it can be thought that bacterial colonization may also support viral activity in the human body. This study sought to investigate bacterial co-infection in respiratory specimens using samples from the Australian influenza epidemic of 2009 as a model for analysis. Furthermore, it was thought that this study could shed light on bacterial co-infection studies in patients with COVID-19, which caused the current pandemic. 200 clinical specimens were extracted for isolation of genomic DNA and directly tested in a multiplexed quantitative PCR. Multiplex-tandem PCR (MT-PCR) assay based on 16S rRNA consensus sequence of a family (Enterobacteriaceae species) and four genera (Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp.) was performed. According to MT-PCR results, respiratory tract samples showed a very high rate of bacterial identification (163/200-81.5%), and Enterococci were commonly found as the dominant genus identified in influenza patients. In a total of 200 putative co-infection samples, Enterococcus spp. was apparently present in 139 samples (69.5%), being the dominant signal (any other signal was ≤10%) from 106 samples. Streptococcus spp. was next most commonly indicated with 137 positive results (68.5%), but was the dominant signal in 19 of 137. It was determined that bacterial co-infection was high in the samples taken from patients with severe influenza, and Enterococcus was the dominant bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of patients treated for severe pneumonia, while Streptococcus was more dominant in the lower respiratory tracts than the other species.

Comparison of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Loads in the Nasal Mucosa of Patients Infected With BA.1, BA.2, or BA.5 Omicron Lineages.

Lower viral loads were observed in the upper respiratory tract of patients infected with BA.1, whereas patients infected with BA.2 and BA.5 had comparable viral loads to those seen with Alpha or Delta. This suggests that viral loads are likely not responsible for the increased transmission of the Omicron lineages.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE POSITION OF HEADS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT AND UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IN MALOCCLUSION CLASS I AND II

The respiratory organs and the maxillofacial apparatus are quite closely related to each other. Reducing the size of the upper respiratory tract is a factor that contributes to the development and formation of bite pathology and even dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of maxillofacial anomalies among children. The aim of the study Is to determine and to compare the position of the TMJ heads and the anatomical dimensions (anterior-posterior dimensions) of the upper respiratory tract in patients with malocclusion class I and II bite based on cone beam computed tomography findings. The analysis of 39 cone-beam computer tomograms of patients was carried out. According to the ANB angle, all patients were divided into two groups based on the type of malocclusion: group I included patients with malocclusion class I, and group II included patients with malocclusion class II. Measurement and interpretation of cone-beam computer tomography was carried out according to the method of N.A. Rabukhina and the McNamara’s method. The dimensions of the joint space of the temporomandibular joint in three sections (front, top and back both on the right and on the left) had no statistically significant differences. The average value of the joint space on the left and right in the patients of the first group in the front section was 2.5±0.27mm, in the patients of the second group – 3.01±0.35. In the upper part these indicators in patients of the first group were 2.76±0.37 mm, in the second group - 2.65±0.32 mm. In the posterior part the average value of the joint’s gap was 3.06±0.01 mm in patients of the first group and 2.28±0.27 mm in the second group. Measurements of the oropharyngeal area on cone-beam computed tomography were (according to the McNamara’s method): the width of the upper part of the pharynx in the first group - 17.41±0.44 mm, and in the second group averaged 15.82±0.61 mm with statistical significance (р˂0.05). In patients with bite pathology of both classed, according to the McNamara’s method, the lower part of the pharynx is narrowed compared to the norm. The study demonstrated the patients of the II group have a statistically significant difference in the reduction of the pharyngeal upper part width compared to I group and the displacement of the TMJ heads upwards and backwards.

Clinical and Pulmonary CT Characteristics of Patients Infected With the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Compared With Those of Patients Infected With the Alpha Viral Strain.

BackgroundOmicron has become the dominant variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) globally. We aimed to compare the clinical and pulmonary computed tomography (CT) characteristics of the patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron with those of patients infected with the Alpha viral strain.MethodsClinical profiles and pulmonary CT images of 420 patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) at Ningbo First Hospital between January 2020 and April 2022 were collected. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, and imaging manifestations of patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant were compared with those of patients infected with the Alpha strain.ResultsA total of 38 patients were diagnosed to be infected with the Alpha strain of SARS-CoV-2, whereas 382 patients were thought to be infected with the Omicron variant. Compared with patients infected with the Alpha strain, those infected with the Omicron variant were younger, and a higher proportion of men were infected (P < 0.001). Notably, 93 (24.3%) of the patients infected with Omicron were asymptomatic, whereas only two (5.3%) of the patients infected with the Alpha strain were asymptomatic. Fever (65.8%), cough (63.2%), shortness of breath (21.1%), and diarrhea (21.1%) were more common in patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha strain, while runny nose (24.1%), sore throat (31.9%), body aches (13.6%), and headache (12.3%) were more common in patients with the Omicron variant. Compared with 33 (86.84%) of 38 patients infected with the Alpha strain, who had viral pneumonia on pulmonary CT images, only 5 (1.3%) of 382 patients infected with the Omicron variant had mild foci. In addition, the distribution of opacities in the five patients was unilateral and centrilobular, whereas most patients infected with the Alpha strain had bilateral involvement and multiple lesions in the peripheral zones of the lung.ConclusionThe SARS-CoV-2 Alpha strain mainly affects the lungs, while Omicron is confined to the upper respiratory tract in patients with COVID-19.

Роль санаційної терапії носоглотки і ротової порожнини в профілактиці гнійних ускладнень верхніх дихальних шляхів у пацієнтів, які перебувають на тривалій штучній вентиляції

Вторинне бактеріальне запалення часто істотно ускладнює перебіг основного захворювання у пацієнтів, які перебувають у відділенні інтенсивної терапії. В останні роки все більша увага приділяється нозокоміальному синуситу як гнійно-септичному захворюванню носоглотки. Утруднення відтоку ексудату через супутній набряк та інфільтрацію слизової оболонки зменшує ймовірність одужання навіть при застосуванні адекватної антибактеріальної терапії, що забезпечує стерилізацію секрету синусів. Тому антибактеріальна терапія повинна поєднуватися з активним місцевим лікуванням. Використання 0,02% розчину декаметоксину в комплексі санаційної терапії носової порожнини, ротоглотки і лікуванні гнійних риносинуситів, ускладнених фарингітами, є ефективним методом боротьби з дисемінацією нозокоміальної інфекції, що дозволяє скоротити середні терміни перебування у відділеннях реанімації та інтенсивної терапії, зменшити строки застосування антибіотиків, і не виявило побічних ефектів. На відміну від стандартної схеми застосування в лікуванні гнійних риносинуситів і фарингітів хлоргексидинвмісних препаратів і фурациліну 0,02% розчин декаметоксину дозволяє одночасно зробити санацію носа, придаткових пазух і глотки, тому що не має токсичної дії на миготливий епітелій і не викликає алергічних реакцій.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLASS I-II MALOCCLUSIONS AND UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT DISEASES

In recent years, there has been an increase in the prevalence of dental anomalies among children, and sagittal occlusion anomalies range from 33 to 67% of them. Quite high prevalence of distal occlusion causes morphological changes in the structure of the dentition that lead not only to functional impairment in the dentofacial system, but also in the entire oropharyngeal area. This forces scientists to search for new methods for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the conditions. The purpose of this study is to determine and compare anatomical dimensions (anteroposterior size and volume) of the upper respiratory tract in patients with occlusion pathology class I and II on the basis of cone-beam computed tomography. We measured the width of the upper, lower part of the pharynx according to the McNamara method, and the volume on 46 tomograms of patients with dentoalveolar anomalies aged from 8 to 29 years, who were divided into two groups according to the ANB angle into classes I and II. The patients of the group I had the average volume of 10.1 ± 1.27 cm3. According to the McNamara method, the width of the upper pharynx was 17.41 ± 0.44 mm, and width of the lower pharynx was 10.1 ± 0.73 mm. The patients of group 2 showed that the average value of the airpassageways volume was 9.3 ± 0.71 cm3. There was a statistically significant difference in the reduction of the width of the upper pharynx (р˂0, 05). Decrease in the width of the lower respiratory tract in the 1st and 2nd groups in the patients aged 15-29 years may be associated with changes in the cervical spine, resulting from postural disorders of the locomotive apparatus, which increases with age and affects the severity of the dental anomaly and the narrowing of the airways in the lower part.

Peculiarities of the upper airways condition in patients with snoring and obstructive apnea during sleeping

Aim: study the anatomical features of the upper respiratory tract in patients with ronchopathy of varying degrees of clinical manifestations. Materials and methods: 60 patients with persistent snoring were under supervision. They were divided into four clinical groups depending on the degree of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. All patients underwent clinical and instrumental examination, which included cardio-respiratory monitoring and MRI examination of the upper respiratory tract. Results: In the comparative analysis of results of clinical studies of the upper respiratory tract of patients with and without obstructive sleeping apnea, there was a statistically significant narrowing of the retroglossal space in 45,7% and 16%, respectively. In the analysis of morphometric parameters of the upper respiratory tract in patients with sleep-disordered breathing of varying severity, there was a narrowing of the retropalatinal and retroglossal lumens of the pharynx due to the increase in the soft palate and tongue with its dislocation posteriorly. It is stated that more pronounced narrowing of the lumen of the upper respiratory tract leads to respiratory disorders during sleeping. The most severe manifestation of respiration deterioration during sleeping were observed in the narrowing of the upper respiratory tract at several levels.

Immunological and microRNA Features of Allergic Rhinitis in the Context of United Airway Disease

Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) may contribute to lower respiratory airways’ inflammation. T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and related cytokines are also involved in the immunological mechanism of AR along with the classical Th2 cells. It is hypothesized that upon Th2 pressure, the inflammatory response in the lungs may lead to Th17-induced neutrophilic inflammation. However, the findings for interleukin-17 (IL-17) are bidirectional. Furthermore, the role of Th17 cells and their counterpart—T regulatory cells—remains unclear in AR patients. It was also shown that a regulator of inflammation might be the individual circulating specific non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs), which were distinctively expressed in AR and bronchial asthma (BA) patients. However, although several circulating miRNAs have been related to upper and lower respiratory tract diseases, their function and clinical value are far from being clarified. Still, they can serve as noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosing, characterizing, and providing therapeutic targets for anti-inflammatory treatment along with the confirmed contributors to the pathogenesis—Th17 cells and related cytokines. The narrow pathogenetic relationship between the nose and the bronchi, e.g., upper and lower respiratory tracts, confirms the concept of unified airway diseases. Thus, there is no doubt that AR and BA should be diagnosed, managed, and treated in an integrated manner.

Differential induction of type I and III interferon genes in the upper respiratory tract of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The natural course of type I and III interferon (IFN) response in the respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients needs to be better defined. We showed that type I/III IFNs, IFN-regulatory factor 7 (IRF7), and IFN stimulated genes (ISGs), are highly expressed in the oropharyngeal cells of SARS-CoV-2 positive patients compared to healthy controls. Notably, the subgroup of critically-ill patients that required invasive mechanical ventilation had a general decrease in expression of IFN/ISG genes. Heterogeneous patterns of IFN-I/III response in the respiratory tract of COVID-19 patients may be associated to COVID-19 severity.

Low replicative fitness of neuraminidase inhibitor-resistant H7N9 avian influenza a virus with R292K substitution in neuraminidase in cynomolgus macaques compared with I222T substitution

Human cases of H7N9 influenza A virus infection have been increasing since 2013. The first choice of treatment for influenza is neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors (NAIs), but there is a concern that NAI-resistant viruses are selected in the presence of NAIs. In our previous study, an H7N9 virus carrying AA substitution of threonine (T) for isoleucine (I) at residue 222 in NA (NA222T, N2 numbering) and an H7N9 virus carrying AA substitution of lysine (K) for arginine (R) at residue 292 in NA (NA292K, N2 numbering) were found in different macaques that had been infected with A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) and treated with NAIs. In the present study, the variant with NA292K showed not only resistance to NAIs but also lower replication activity in MDCK cells than did the virus with wild-type NA, whereas the variant with NA222T, which was less resistant to NAIs, showed replication activity similar to that of the wild-type virus. Next, we examined the pathogenicity of these H7N9 NAI-resistant viruses in macaques. The variants caused clinical signs similar to those caused by the wild-type virus with similar replication potency. However, the virus with NA292K was replaced within 7 days by that with NA292R (same as the wild-type) in nasal samples from macaques infected with the virus with NA292K, i.e. the so-called revertant (wild-type virus) became dominant in the population in the absence of an NAI. These results suggest that the clinical signs observed in macaques infected with the NA292K virus are caused by the NA292K virus and the NA292R virus and that the virus with NA292K may not replicate continuously in the upper respiratory tract of patients without treatment as effectively as the wild-type virus.

Analysis of the frequency of allocation of Corynebacteria non-diphtheria from patients with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract.

Corynebacteria non-diphtheria and, in particular, C. pseudodiphtheriticum species that are closely related to C. propinquum and C. striatum form a group of new respiratory pathogens leading to the development of bronchitis, tracheitis, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, nosocomial pneumonia and other pathology. The goal is to analyze the frequency of the release of Сorynebacteria non-diphtheria from the upper respiratory tract of patients with various inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. Strains of Сorynebacteria non-diphtheria (C. pseudodiphtheriticum, C. propinquum, C. accolens, et al.), isolated from patients with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract (60 pcs.) and practically healthy individuals (31 pcs.) were studied. Identification of Сorynebacteria was performed using the method of mass spectrometry (MALDI-ToFMS). Сorynebacteria nondiphtheria in the amount of 105 and higher were more frequently detected with the development of chronic tonsillitis (60.0%) and nasopharyngitis (30%). The strains of C. pseudodiphtheriticum (40.0±6.4%) and the closely related species C. propinquum (21.7±5.3%) were mainly found; much less often - C. accolens (8.3±3.6%), C. afermentans (6.7±3.3%), et al. In 86.7% of cases, Corynebacteria non-diphtheria were isolated from children. In chronic tonsillitis, C. pseudodiphtheriticum and the closely related species of C. propinquum were isolated more often; in nasopharyngitis and bronchitis - С. pseudodiphtheriticum. Isolation of Corynebacteria non-diphtheria and, especially, C. pseudodiphtheriticum, C. propinquum, C. accolens species from patients with inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract in the amount of 105 and above, if there are no other pathogenic microorganisms in the role of microbial associates, of clinical importance.

Epiglottis shape as a predictor of obstruction level in patients with sleep apnea.

Despite a broad range of diagnostic methods, identifying the site of obstruction in the upper respiratory tract in patients with obstructive sleep apnea is not always simple and straightforward. With regard to this problem, we present our observations about the specific shape of the epiglottis in patients with obstruction at the level of the tongue base and/or epiglottis. One hundred and forty consecutive drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) video recordings of patients with polygraphy-verified obstructive sleep apnea were analyzed by three independent observers. We compared the levels of obstruction using the VOTE classification and the shape of the epiglottis, both as seen during the DISE investigation and in the awake state. We have calculated the interrater reliability for VOTE classification results and epiglottis shape evaluation by three different observers. Out of 140 patients, there were 52 (37.1%) with a flat epiglottis. Within this group, there were only 3 (6%) cases in which obstructions at the tongue base and/or epiglottis level were not found. In the group with normally convex and omega-shaped epiglottis, obstruction at the tongue base level was observed in 28 patients (31.8%); obstruction at the epiglottis level was observed in 5 patients (5.7%); and obstruction at both the epiglottis and tongue base level was observed in 3 patients (3.4%). Interrater reliability for VOTE classification was poor for V (ICC = 0.414) and good for O (ICC = 0.824), T (ICC = 0.775), and E (ICC = 0.852). Additionally, interrater reliability was excellent for epiglottis shape (ICC = 0.912). In patients with obstructive sleep apnea, examinations in the awake state and drug-induced sleep endoscopy both showed that in most cases of obstruction at epiglottis and/or tongue base, the epiglottis was flat, i.e., lacking the typical anterior convexity in its upper part. We assume that the change of its shape is a result of degeneration of suspensory apparatus that maintains the shape of the epiglottis and holds it in its position. This could contribute to the better identification of patients with a narrowing at this level, and in turn to better decisions regarding the choice of the most suitable treatment.

Dynamic control of local immunity parameters in patients with rhinosinusitis

Despite the large number of studies devoted to the problem of diagnosis and treatment of rhinosinusitis remains a discursive issue of effective diagnosis, optimal volume of medical support in such patients. Objective — to determine the degree of violation of the indices of local immunity of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract in patients with rhinosinusitis. 60 patients were examined. All patients were divided into two groups: the first included 30 patients (control group), with rhinosinusitis on baseline therapy, and the second group consisted of 30 patients diagnosed with rhinosinusitis, to which the immunomodulator (inоsine pranobex) was added to the baseline therapy. The drug was administered at a dose of 500 mg. three times a day, within 7 days. In determining the level of sIgA we tested in nasal secretion in patients with rhinosinusitis, it was found that the levels of this secretory immunoglobulin were determined within the lower limits (from 0,72 to 0,98 mg/l) than the standard norms for persons in this age category (1,3–13,3 mg/l) and had no statistically significant difference. In a repeated study of the level sIgA in the subjects treated with baseline therapy and patients who received the immunomodulator (inоsine pranobex) in the basal therapy of rhinosinusitis, the following results were obtained: in the group of patients treated with baseline therapy, an increase in sIgA concentration was observed in 2,1 times, and in the group of patients with the addition of an immunomodulator — 2,6 times, which means a significant improvement in indices of local immunity when adding an immunomodulator to basic therapy. So, in patients with various forms of rhinosinusitis are a low baseline sIgA, indicating insufficient protection of the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx from infectious agents.

Assessment of the upper respiratory tract in patients eligible for treatment with transverse maxillary expansion

Transverse maxillary hypoplasia may negatively affect respiration. Maxillary narrowing has to be treated early. An appliance for Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME) is the most common method, and it aims to expand the skeletal base and maintain this width until a new bone has been formed to fill in the fissure. Aim. Comparison of the results of measurements of bone structures and of the upper airways on lateral teleroentgenograms of the head in patients with transverse maxillary hypoplasia and in patients with normal dimensions of the maxilla. Material and methods. The study was carried out in a group of 20 people with maxillary narrowing (10 girls and 10 boys) aged 7 to 10 years. The control group consisted of 20 lateral teleroentgenograms of patients (9 girls and 11 boys) of similar age treated for other malocclusions. The structures of the facial skeleton and the upper respiratory tract were assessed in teleroentgenograms after earlier determination of measurement points and planes according to selected parameters of the McNamara and Preston et al. methodology. The obtained results were analysed statistically using the Mann-Whitney's test. Results. Angular measurements showed statistically significantly smaller SNA and SNB angles in the study group compared to the control group. The analysis of linear measurements indicated a statistically significant larger dimension of the actual length of the midfacial segment (Co-A) and distance between the Sella point and the posterior nasal spine (PNS-S), and a smaller dimension of the posterior facial height (PFH) in the study group compared to the control group. The highest differences in upper respiratory tract measurements were noted in the Ba-ho-PNS angle, which was lower in the study group. The result was not statistically significant. Conclusions. No significant differences in cephalometric measurements of the upper airways were observed. There is a need to extend studies to include groups of patients with features of night apnoea and maxillary narrowing. &lt;b&gt;(Dargiewicz E, Szarmach IJ, Sawczuk M. Assessment of the upper respiratory tract in patients eligible for treatment with transverse maxillary expansion. Orthod Forum 2018; 14: 97-105)&lt;/b&gt;

Characteristics of the upper respiratory tract in patients with acromegaly and correlations with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea syndrome

ObjectiveTo explore the radiological characteristics of the upper respiratory tract and their correlations with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in patients with acromegaly. MethodsComputed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed in untreated patients with acromegaly placed in straight (SHP) and extended head positions (EHP). Overnight polysomnography was performed to evaluate OSAHS, and the apnoea/hypopnea index (AHI) was measured. ResultsAccording to the CT findings, a thicker soft palate (1.24 ± 0.22 vs. 1.03 ± 0.22 cm, p = 0.024), larger soft palate cross-sectional area (5.15 ± 1.21 vs. 4.06 ± 1.09 cm2, p = 0.027), and thicker lateral pharyngeal wall (1.01 ± 0.25 vs. 0.79 ± 0.14 cm, p = 0.015) were observed in patients with acromegaly who presented with OSAHS compared with patients without OSAHS. Additionally, the maximal transverse diameter (1.87 ± 0.40 vs. 2.31 ± 0.44 cm, p = 0.015) and cross-sectional area (1.98 ± 0.46 vs. 2.74 ± 1.01 cm2, p = 0.032) of the airway were decreased in the soft palate plane in patients with OSAHS. The AHI was positively correlated with the thickness of the soft palate and lateral pharyngeal wall but negatively correlated with the maximal transverse diameter and cross-sectional area of the airway in the soft palate plane. ConclusionsAirway stenosis and pharyngeal tissue hypertrophy are typical characteristics of changes in the structure of the upper respiratory tract in patients with acromegaly who present with OSAHS. AHI is a predictor of the severity of the respiratory tract changes.