Septic pulmonary embolism is a rare condition, the common sources of which are bacterial endocarditis and infected venous catheters. Septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to dental infection is extremely rare. The present report describes a case of septic pulmonary embolism attributed to periapical periodontitis in a 39-year-old patient, who was admitted with persistent toothache, fever, and chest pain. Chest CT showed a feeding vessel sign and a target sign. A panoramic radiograph of the left maxillary bone showed alveolar bone loss in a horizontal pattern typical of periodontitis and periapical periodontitis. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and teeth extraction. To our knowledge, only 4 cases of septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to dental infection have been reported in the English literature. These patients repeatedly developed dental infections but did not receive appropriate dental treatment including extraction of the causative teeth, leading to the development of septic pulmonary embolism. This paper may contribute to the limited clinical knowledge base regarding septic pulmonary embolism ascribed to periapical periodontitis. Effective oral care and removal of the primary source of infection, including extraction of the causative teeth, are important to prevent septic pulmonary embolism.

Folic acid contained in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers is concentrated in potato chips by dehydration during frying. It is a vitamin recommended to young women which helps protect fetus from congenital disease. Additionally, folic acid can lower plasma homocysteine concentrations, a known independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to determine whether the dietary consumption of potato chips affect serum folic acid concentration and plasma homocysteine concentration in human subjects. Results showed a significant increase in serum concentrations of folate 1, 3, and 6 hours after ingestion. Vitamin B₆, on the other hand, increased significantly after 3 hours of intake. In contrast, plasma homocysteine concentration decreased significantly 6 hours after ingestion. These results suggest that potato chips would be a good dietary source of folic acid for humans.