The effect of botulinum toxin A on patients with persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain-A systematic review.

Background: It has been suggested that botulinum toxin A (BONT-A) is a safe and effective treatment in relieving pain in patients with persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain (PIDP).

Objectives: This study aimed to systematically evaluate all the available studies investigating the pain-relieving effects of BONT-A in patients with PIDP.

Methods: A systematic search with specific search terms was made in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus.

Streptokinase antibodies in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome in three rural New Zealand populations.

Background: New Zealand Māori have some of the highest rates of Group A streptococcal infection (GAS) in the world. GAS elevates titres of antistreptokinase (SK) neutralising antibodies and may induce resistance to SK.

Methods: Anti-SK titres were measured in 180 patients presenting with symptoms consistent with an acute coronary syndrome to three New Zealand rural hospitals, selected because they provide care for patients from communities with different socio-economic and ethnic mixes (Māori proportions varying between 6% and 67%).