Effect of white cell counts on the presence of human herpes simplex virus type-1 in saliva of pediatric oncology patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess if there is increased herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) salivary shedding in oncology pediatric patients with severe cytopenia (SC).

Study Design: HSV-1 was detected by real time PCR in saliva samples from oncology pediatric patients (n = 30) during SC and relative cytopenia (RC), and from healthy children (n = 27).

Results: The frequency of HSV-1 positive saliva samples was higher in patients with SC as compared to controls (P < .

Oral manifestations of aplastic anemia in children.

Background: Few studies concerning oral manifestations of aplastic anemia (AA) in children have been reported. The purpose of the authors' study was to describe oral lesions in children with AA.

Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective review using medical records of children diagnosed with AA who were treated at the Pediatric Service of the Regional Hospital of Concepción, Chile, between March 1996 and May 2001.

Oral ulcers in children under chemotherapy: clinical characteristics and their relation with Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 and Candida albicans.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of oral ulcers in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy and their relation with the presence of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 and Candida albicans.

Study Design: The sample consisted of 20 ulcerative lesions from 15 children treated with chemotherapy in the Pediatric Service of the Regional Hospital of Concepción, Chile. Two calibrated clinicians performed clinical diagnosis of the ulcers and registered general data from the patients (age, general diagnosis, absolute neutrophil count, and number of days after chemotherapy) and clinical characteristic of the ulcers: number, size, location, presence or absence of pain and inflammatory halo, edge characteristics, and exudate type.