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Introduction: Cage birds can harbor human pathogens and contribute to the transmission and spread of drug resistant infectious agents to human. Since many people are interested in keeping cage birds, present study was conducted in cage birds from Shahrekord to investigate the beta- lactam antibiotics resistant E. coli and molecular detection of E. coli O157:H7 that is responsible for outbreaks of human intestinal diseases and fatal haemolytic-uraemic syndrome worldwide. Materials and methods: Altogether 256 samples of cage birds (lovebirds, quails, nightingales, parrots, mynahs, goldfinchs, finches, kingbirds, peacocks, and pheasants) faeces were collected with sterile cotton swabs from different areas of Shahrekord, Iran. Swabs were placed directly into Tryptone Soya Broth (TSB). In the laboratory, samples were streaked onto MacConkey agar and also Sorbitol MacConkey agar as selective plating media. Then, antibiogram tests were performed using disc diffusion method. Suspected colonies to E. coli O157:H7 were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: E. coli was isolated from 31 (12.1%) out of 256 the samples. Resistance of isolates to Imipenem, Cefotaxime, Cefixime, Cefalexin, Amoxicillin, Penicillin G and Oxacillin was 0, 3.2, 16.1, 90.3, 100, 100 and 100% respectively. E. coli O157:H7 was not found in any samples. Discussion and conclusion: Although cage birds were not sourcee or carriers of E. coli O157:H7 in the studied region, they harbored beta-lactam antibiotics resistant E. coli and could be an important component of drug-resistant infections transmission from cage-birds to human, especially to kids and can pose a potential risk to human health. For this reason, it is recommended to make pet birds owners and general public aware of potential dangers of cage bird keeping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the case of a 50-year-old asymptomatic man whose panoramic radiograph revealed calcium deposits within the left internal carotid bifurcation region. Subsequent duplex ultrasonic examination indicated unilateral low-grade carotid arterial stenosis, a condition associated with a significant risk of stroke, which had not been identified previously. The findings on the panoramic radiograph prompted appropriate and potentially lifesaving treatment. Dentists who are well-versed in diagnosing calcified plaques on panoramic radiographs can play a major role in the early referral and treatment of undiagnosed asymptomatic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented which reminds dental practitioners one the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injuries and derangement due to trauma from tooth extractions by dental students.