Noma | |
---|---|
Other names | cancrum oris, stomatitis gangrenosa |
Stage 3 noma (gangrenous stage) in a young girl | |
Specialty | Pediatrics, otorhinolaryngology, dentistry |
Symptoms | Facial edema, fever, gangrene of face |
Complications | sepsis & death, facial disfigurement, difficulty eating/drinking, social stigma |
Usual onset | age 2-6 years |
Duration | acute phase lasts 2-4 weeks |
Causes | Opportunistic infection |
Risk factors | Extreme poverty, malnutrition, immunosuppression |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms |
Differential diagnosis | Oral cancer, leishmaniasis, leprosy |
Prevention | Adequate nutrition, oral hygiene |
Treatment | Antibiotics, nutritional supplements, oral hygiene |
Medication | antibiotics |
Prognosis | 90% fatality rate without treatment |
Frequency | 140,000 new cases per year (1998 estimate) |
Noma (also known as gangrenous stomatitis or cancrum oris) is a rapidly-progressive and often-fatal gangrenous infection of the mouth and face. Noma usually begins as an ulcer on the gums and rapidly spreads into the jawbone, cheek, and facial soft tissues. This is followed by death of the facial tissues and fatal sepsis. Survivors are left with severe facial disfigurement often with impairments in breathing, swallowing, speaking, and vision. [1] [2] [3] [4] In 2023 noma was added to the World Health Organization's list of neglected tropical diseases. [5]
This disease is strongly linked to poverty and malnutrition, and predominantly affects children between the ages of two and six years in the least developed countries around the world, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa; noma has also been seen in severely immunocompromised people in the developed world. It is preventable by proper nutrition and oral hygiene. Noma is most common in impoverished environments with poor healthcare infrastructure; as a result, many cases go undiagnosed, untreated, and unreported. There are no reliable estimates of its prevalence – in 1998 WHO estimated that there were 140,000 cases per year with a fatality rate of 90%; no more recent estimates are available. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Noma is an opportunistic infection linked to several microbes that take advantage of malnutrition and compromised immunity. There is no evidence of direct transmission from person to person. In the early stages, it can be treated effectively with antibiotics and nutrition supplements. If diagnosed early enough, there can be proper wound healing. After recovering, patients with disfigurement require complex surgical rehabilitation. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Noma survivors experience high levels of stigma, social isolation, and discrimination within their communities. These can be countered by education and community outreach programs. [3]
Initially, there may be a small ulcer in the mouth which progresses into necrotizing gingivitis – painful bleeding of the gums and inter-dental papillae. This is followed by a rapid spread of the infection resulting in more general inflammation of the mouth and lips, facial edema, and foul breath. If untreated, within a few days the necrotizing infection progresses into the facial muscles, the skin, and the upper and lower jaw resulting in tissue destruction and sloughing. Many patients die due to sepsis; survivors are left with permanent scarring and disfigurement. [6] [7]
Noma neonatorum is a severe infection affecting very young or newborn children in impoverished environments. A gangrenous infection spreads across the oral, nasal, and/or anal areas, and is frequently fatal. The pattern of lesions is similar to those found in noma. [8]
The World Health Organization divides noma into five stages: Acute necrotizing gingivitis, edema, gangrenous, scarring, and sequelae. [9]
Before the development of noma, there may be simple gingivitis: Inflammation and reddening of the gums, which bleed when touched or during toothbrushing. The WHO recommends disinfectant mouthwash; if not available, use warm, salted water that has been boiled. A high-protein diet, Vitamin A supplements, and patient education on oral hygiene are also recommended to prevent noma from progressing to the acute stages. [9]
This is the first stage of noma. The gums are red or reddish-purple and bleed spontaneously. The child has fetid breath and may drool. Painful ulcers of the gums develop, causing trouble eating. If the patient is malnourished and has recently been sick with an infectious disease, such as measles or chickenpox, they are at more risk for developing noma. Fever may develop at this stage, which can persist indefinitely. Appropriate treatment at this stage can halt the disease. [9]
This stage begins the acute phase of noma. The telltale sign is facial edema (swelling) of the lips, cheeks, eyes, etc. Ulceration of the gums worsens during this stage; ulceration may spread to the mucosa (soft, mucus-producing tissue) of the mouth and nose. The patient may feel pain or soreness in their mouth and cheeks. Other symptoms at this stage include fever, drooling, fetid breath, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), and difficulty eating. Progression of the disease can be halted with appropriate treatment. [9]
At this and subsequent stages, although the disease can still be treated, sequelae will inevitably set in. In this stage, the infection eats away at the soft tissue of the patient's face. The gangrene may affect the cheeks, lips, nose, mouth, and nasal and oral cavities. Dead tissue sloughs away over time, leaving holes in the face and the soft tissue, possibly exposing bones and teeth. The patient is apathetic, has little appetite, and has great difficulty eating. [9] At this stage, there is a high risk of sepsis leading to death. [7]
The acute phase is over, but the patient's life is still at risk, and treatment is recommended. This stage lasts one to two weeks. The patient may experience trismus (difficulty moving/opening the jaw), scars will form, and any exposed teeth will set in place. [9]
The disease is over, but sequelae from the gangrenous and scarring stages remain. Tissue may be missing, teeth may still be exposed, and the face may be disfigured. The patient may have difficulty eating, drinking, and speaking. Teeth may become set in the wrong places, or be lost altogether. There may still be problems with drooling and with opening/closing the jaw. Reconstructive surgery is an option at this phase. Social reintegration is also very important. [9]
As of December 2023 [update] , most people who acquire this disease are between the ages of two and six years old, living in the poorest countries of the world. Accurate figures for noma prevalence are not available due to difficulties in diagnosis and reporting in the endemic areas. In 1998 The World Health Organization estimated that 140,000 new cases were occurring each year, with a 90% fatality rate, and a total of 770,000 surviving with scarring or disfigurement. [1]
Noma is associated with a very high morbidity, [10] and a mortality rate of approximately 90 percent. The prognosis is much better with treatment; if children have access to medical care, the mortality rate drops to under 10 percent. [11] After gangrene sets in, patients are likely to die of sepsis within one to two weeks. [12]
Noma is an opportunistic rather than contagious infection. [11] No single pathogen has been associated with the disease (the causative organisms are common in many environments) and there are no documented cases of person to person transmission. [1] [13] The underlying causes for this disease are extreme poverty, malnutrition, other causes of immunosuppression, underlying infections, and poor oral health. [1] The disease principally affects extremely impoverished and malnourished children between 2 and 6 years old in tropical regions. Cases of noma have also been reported in malnourished or immunosuppressed adults, and in concentration camps during the second world war. [14] [12] [15]
Predisposing factors include: [15] [16] [17]
When noma is detected early, its progression can be rapidly halted through basic hygiene, antibiotics, and improved nutrition. However, its physical effects are permanent and may require oral and maxillofacial surgery or reconstructive plastic surgery to repair. [1] Treatments for noma in the acute stage include penicillin, sulfonamides, [12] and other antibiotics.
In all stages of noma, the World Health Organization encourages antibiotics, vitamin A supplements or other nutritional supplements, a high-protein diet, and proper hydration.
The World Health Organization recommends using amoxicillin and metronidazole in tandem to treat stage I noma (acute necrotizing gingivitis), along with the use of chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide to clean the mouth and gums. [9]
For stage II noma (edema phase), stage III noma (acute/gangrenous stage), and stage IV noma (scarring phase), the WHO recommends either one of two therapies. The first therapy includes the concurrent use of amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, gentamicin, and metronidazole. The second option includes the concurrent use of ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole. For both options, chlorhexidine mouthwash is advised. For stage III and IV noma, the use of ketamine, and honey are both given as options for dressing the lesions. [9]
Reconstruction is usually very challenging and should be delayed until full recovery (usually about one year following initial intervention). [19]
Known in antiquity to such physicians as Hippocrates and Galen, noma was once reported around the world, including in Europe and the United States. The disease was well-known in the Netherlands in the 1500s and 1600s. The first clinical description of noma was in 1595 by a Dutch man, Carolus Battus . Dutch surgeon Cornelis van de Voorde first used the term "noma" to describe the disease in 1680. A European scientist, Gabriel Lund, attributed noma to poverty, cramped living conditions, and malnutrition in 1765. English physician John Addington Symmonds linked the disease to previous infection with measles. The first surgical treatment for noma sequelae was performed in 1781. Surgical treatments for sequelae developed throughout the 1800s. In the late 1800s, scientists suspected that noma was caused by bacteria. [12]
With improvements in hygiene and nutrition, Noma has disappeared from industrialized countries since the 20th century, except during World War II when it was endemic to the Auschwitz and Belsen concentration camps. [14] The disease and treatments were studied by Berthold Epstein, a Czech physician and forced-labor prisoner who had recommended the study under Josef Mengele's direction. [14]
Since 1970, there has been little research done on noma, with few exceptions. One exception is Cyril Enwonwu, a Nigerian scientist focusing on noma. [12]
Nigeria is home to two of the few hospitals in the world that focus on treating noma patients: Sokoto Noma Hospital, in the city of Sokoto [20] and the Noma Centre Abuja (built and funded by the Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative).
In January 2023 the Nigerian Ministry of Health submitted to the World Health Organization a request for noma to be added to WHO's list of neglected tropical diseases. This had been endorsed by 31 countries and was accompanied by a dossier of evidence demonstrating that Noma fit the criteria for inclusion. In December 2023 WHO conceded the request. It is hoped that this will encourage more research into the disease. [5] [21]
The word "noma" derives from the classical Greek word νομή, used to describe the continuing process of a fire or an ulcer. [22]
People with noma and noma survivors may face stigma. Some think that noma is a contagious disease, so they avoid noma sufferers and survivors to avoid contracting it. [23] Parents may hide afflicted children within the home because of social stigma, which can prevent them from getting treatment. Some also believe noma may be caused by witchcraft or a curse on the child's parents. [9] Based on one 1997 estimate, roughly 770,000 people worldwide live with noma sequelae. However, "noma is a disease of shame," and children are sometimes hidden in isolation rather than being sent to receive treatment. [11]
In Nigeria, sufferers and their families may seek traditional medicine rather than go to a medical center. In a study of 7,185 noma sufferers across Nigeria, only 19% reported going to a hospital or medical center upon discovering a facial lesion. 47.6% took 1–3 weeks to visit a hospital; the rest took longer to visit a hospital. [13]
Children and other noma survivors in Africa are helped by a few international charitable organizations, such as Facing Africa, a UK registered charity that helps affected Ethiopians, and Swiss charity Winds of Hope. [24] The Hilfsaktion Noma E.v is a non-governmental organization that has been involved in the management of Noma survivors for 30 years. They have a presence in 9 countries within the sub-Saharan Noma belt and have two fully funded clinics for the comprehensive management of Noma patients (one in Niger Republic and the other in Guinea Bissau). There are two dedicated Noma hospitals in Nigeria, the first and oldest is the Noma Children Hospital Sokoto, staffed by resident and visiting medical teams supported by Médecins Sans Frontières. Some of the staff are noma survivors. [23] [25] The second and more recently commissioned centre is the Noma Centre Abuja, fully funded and sponsored by the Noma Aid Nigeria Initiative, where holistic and compressive management of the Noma patients is given. The team consists of a resident medical and surgical team and visiting surgeons from Europe.
In other countries, such as Ethiopia, international charities work in collaboration with the local health care system to provide complex reconstructive surgery which can give back facial functions such as eating, speaking, and smiling. Teams of volunteer medics coming from abroad are often needed to support the local capacity to address the most severe cases, which can be extremely challenging even for senior maxillofacial surgeons. [26] On 10 June 2010, the work of such volunteer surgeons was featured in a UK BBC Two documentary presented by Ben Fogle, Make Me a New Face: Hope for Africa's Hidden Children. [27] [28]
Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, is a set of inflammatory conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the teeth. In its early stage, called gingivitis, the gums become swollen and red and may bleed. It is considered the main cause of tooth loss for adults worldwide. In its more serious form, called periodontitis, the gums can pull away from the tooth, bone can be lost, and the teeth may loosen or fall out. Halitosis may also occur.
Gangrene is a type of tissue death caused by a lack of blood supply. Symptoms may include a change in skin color to red or black, numbness, swelling, pain, skin breakdown, and coolness. The feet and hands are most commonly affected. If the gangrene is caused by an infectious agent, it may present with a fever or sepsis.
Necrotizing gingivitis (NG) is a common, non-contagious infection of the gums with sudden onset. The main features are painful, bleeding gums, and ulceration of interdental papillae. This disease, along with necrotizing periodontitis (NP) and necrotizing stomatitis, is classified as a necrotizing periodontal disease, one of the three general types of gum disease caused by inflammation of the gums (periodontitis).
The gums or gingiva consist of the mucosal tissue that lies over the mandible and maxilla inside the mouth. Gum health and disease can have an effect on general health.
Stomatitis is inflammation of the mouth and lips. It refers to any inflammatory process affecting the mucous membranes of the mouth and lips, with or without oral ulceration.
Periodontology or periodontics is the specialty of dentistry that studies supporting structures of teeth, as well as diseases and conditions that affect them. The supporting tissues are known as the periodontium, which includes the gingiva (gums), alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament. A periodontist is a dentist that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and in the placement of dental implants.
Dental plaque is a biofilm of microorganisms that grows on surfaces within the mouth. It is a sticky colorless deposit at first, but when it forms tartar, it is often brown or pale yellow. It is commonly found between the teeth, on the front of teeth, behind teeth, on chewing surfaces, along the gumline (supragingival), or below the gumline cervical margins (subgingival). Dental plaque is also known as microbial plaque, oral biofilm, dental biofilm, dental plaque biofilm or bacterial plaque biofilm. Bacterial plaque is one of the major causes for dental decay and gum disease. Interestingly, it has been observed that differences in the composition of dental plaque microbiota exist between men and women, particularly in the presence of periodontitis.
Gingivostomatitis is a combination of gingivitis and stomatitis, or an inflammation of the oral mucosa and gingiva. Herpetic gingivostomatitis is often the initial presentation during the first ("primary") herpes simplex infection. It is of greater severity than herpes labialis which is often the subsequent presentations. Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis is the most common viral infection of the mouth.
Pericoronitis is inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the crown of a partially erupted tooth, including the gingiva (gums) and the dental follicle. The soft tissue covering a partially erupted tooth is known as an operculum, an area which can be difficult to access with normal oral hygiene methods. The hyponym operculitis technically refers to inflammation of the operculum alone.
The Peptostreptococcaceae are a family of Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria in the class Clostridia. A majority of members are identified as obligate anaerobes. The bacteria can be found in humans, vertebrates, manure, soil and hydrothermal vents. Peptostreptococcaceae metabolize via fermentation producing a variety of short-chain fatty acids. The bacteria are important in the digestion process of many ruminants, and in the oral health of vertebrates. Shape of the bacteria varies from cocci, rods or filaments, among species. Most strains fall within the size of 0.6-0.9 μm.
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms (helminths). These diseases are contrasted with the "big three" infectious diseases, which generally receive greater treatment and research funding. In sub-Saharan Africa, the effect of neglected tropical diseases as a group is comparable to that of malaria and tuberculosis. NTD co-infection can also make HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis more deadly.
Scaling and root planing, also known as conventional periodontal therapy, non-surgical periodontal therapy or deep cleaning, is a procedure involving removal of dental plaque and calculus and then smoothing, or planing, of the (exposed) surfaces of the roots, removing cementum or dentine that is impregnated with calculus, toxins, or microorganisms, the agents that cause inflammation. It is a part of non-surgical periodontal therapy. This helps to establish a periodontium that is in remission of periodontal disease. Periodontal scalers and periodontal curettes are some of the tools involved.
Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums; ulitis is an alternative term. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms that are attached to tooth surfaces, termed plaque-induced gingivitis. Most forms of gingivitis are plaque-induced.
Gingival disease is a term used to group the diseases that affect the gingiva(gums). The most common gingival disease is gingivitis, the earliest stage of gingival-related diseases. Gingival disease encompasses all the conditions that surround the gums, this includes plaque-induced gingivitis, non-dental biofilm plaque-induced gingivitis, and periodontal diseases.
Prevotella intermedia is a gram-negative, obligate anaerobic pathogenic bacterium involved in periodontal infections, including gingivitis and periodontitis, and often found in acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. It is commonly isolated from dental abscesses, where obligate anaerobes predominate.
Necrotizing periodontal diseases is one of the three categories of periodontitis as defined by the American Academy of Periodontology/European Federation of Periodontology 2017 World Workshop classification system.
Trichomonas tenax, or oral trichomonas, is a species of Trichomonas commonly found in the oral cavity of humans. Routine hygiene is generally not sufficient to eliminate the parasite, hence its Latin name, meaning "tenacious". The parasite is frequently encountered in periodontal infections, affecting more than 50% of the population in some areas, but it is usually considered insignificant. T. tenax is generally not found on the gums of healthy patients. It is known to play a pathogenic role in necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis, worsening preexisting periodontal disease. This parasite is also implicated in some chronic lung diseases; in such cases, removal of the parasite is sufficient to allow recovery.
Tooth pathology is any condition of the teeth that can be congenital or acquired. Sometimes a congenital tooth disease is called a tooth abnormality. These are among the most common diseases in humans The prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of these diseases are the base to the dentistry profession, in which are dentists and dental hygienists, and its sub-specialties, such as oral medicine, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and endodontics. Tooth pathology is usually separated from other types of dental issues, including enamel hypoplasia and tooth wear.
Oral manifestations of systematic disease are signs and symptoms of disease occurring elsewhere in the body detected in the oral cavity and oral secretions. High blood sugar can be detected by sampling saliva. Saliva sampling may be a non-invasive way to detect changes in the gut microbiome and changes in systemic disease. Another example is tertiary syphilis, where changes to teeth can occur. Syphilis infection can be associated with longitudinal furrows of the tongue.