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REVIEW ARTICLE
Keywords Abstract
Allergic disease, diagnosis, oral lesions, Allergic and immunologic diseases very often manifest oral lesions in their earliest
pathogenesis
stages, an early diagnosis, which may be spurred by a dental examination, is a key for
improved outcomes. After systemic diagnosis, oral lesions benefit from special care
Correspondence
Dr. Snehashish Ghosh, Department of Oral
by dentists in alliance with the medical team. This review aims to highlight the most
Pathology & Microbiology, Faculty of Dental relevant allergic and immunologic conditions of the oral cavity, their pathogenesis, and
Sciences, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied their pathognomonic diagnostic features, which will navigate the clinicians to arrive at a
Sciences, M.S.R.I.T. Post, MSR Nagar, prompt diagnosis and subsequent management.
Bengaluru - 560 054, Karnataka, India.
Email: ghoshrocks2004@gmail.com
doi: 10.15713-ins-ijcds-07-01
Table 2: Comparison of clinical and histopathological oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid reaction[16,19]
Features Oral lichen planus Oral lichenoid reaction
Clinical features 1. Presence of bilateral, more or less symmetrical lesions 1. Presence of unilateral or bilateral lesions
2. Presence of a lacelike network of slightly raised 2. Presence of a lace-like network of slightly raised gray-white
gray-white lines (reticular pattern) lines (reticular pattern)
3. No evidence of any etiologic agent 3. Evidence of an etiologic agent
Lesions resolve on withdrawal of etiologic agent
Histopathological 1. Presence of a well-defined band like zone of cellular 1. Presence of a well-defined band like zone of cellular
features infiltration that is confined to the superficial part of the infiltration that is confined to the superficial part of the
connective tissue, consisting mainly of lymphocytes connective tissue, consisting of lymphocytes and eosinophils
2. Signs of liquefaction degeneration in the basal cell layer 2. Liquefaction degeneration of the basal cell layer
3. Absence of epithelial dysplasia 3. No evidence of epithelial dysplasia
IgE. Following antigenic re-exposure, local lymphocytes secrete palate, and buccal mucosa. Lesions on the lips appear as small,
chemical mediators of inflammation that produce the clinical papules, or plaques, resembling herpetic lesions. Lesions appear
and histologic changes characteristic of this process. Numerous as bleb-like, comprising of clear yellowish fluid, or as solid
allergens, varying from simple chemical elements to complex nodules on the palate and buccal mucosa. They may produce
organic substances, are implicated with the pathogenesis of this diffuse destruction of the bone.[23-27]
disease. There is a well-recognized group of materials which
cause the oral lesion, and for this reason, they are of special Key features facilitating diagnosis[24-26]
interest to the dentist. They can be classified as dental/cosmetic • Appearance of asteroid bodies in indirect immunofluorescence
preparations such as dentifrices and mouthwashes; dental • An intracutaneous test (Kveim-Siltzbach test), using a
materials such as nickel and acrylic; dental therapeutic agents suspension of known sarcoidal tissue, confirms diagnosis.
such as alcohol, phenol, and antibiotics. It manifests as an itching
or burning sensation at the site of contact followed by erythema PD
and vesicle formation.[20-22]
PD and light-sensitive seborrheic are synonyms for chronic
Key features facilitating diagnosis [6,20-22] papulopustular facial dermatitis.[6] It is an inflammatory orofacial
• Biopsy reveals intercellular edema of epithelium along with skin disorder commonly affecting women, first described by
vesicle formation Frumess and Lewis in 1957. Its etiology remains unknown.
• History of a chronic allergen associated with the entity Overzealous use of topical steroids and cosmetics often precedes
• Discontinuance of the allergen causes remission of symptoms. manifestation of the disease. Use of inhaled steroid sprays into
the nose and mouth can also precipitate PD. Physical factors
Sarcoidosis such as UV light, heat, and wind worsen PD. Investigators believe
the infections may arise from fusiform spirilla bacteria, Candida
Sarcoidosis is a multifactorial disease of unknown origin first
species, and Demodex folliculorum. Hormonal factors are suspected
reported by Jonathan Hutchinson in 1875. It is characterized
because premenstrual deterioration has been observed. The
by the formation of uniform, discrete, non-caseating granuloma.
disease presents with follicular reddish papules, papulovesicles,
Boeck coined “sarcoidosis” which stems from the Greek words
and papulopustules in the perioral region. Predominantly affected
“sark“ (meaning flesh) and “oid“ (meaning like) and refers
sites are the perioral area around the lips, nasolabial fold, and
to the flesh-like tumors first observed on the skin of affected
lateral portions of lower eyelids. A frequent feature of PD is a
patients.[5,23] A positive association with HLA-A1, HLA-B8,
border of normal skin separating lesional skin from the lips.[7,28,29]
and HLA-DR3 has been identified as a putative genetic
background in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. Infectious
Key features facilitating diagnosis[6,28,29]
agents (mycobacterium, propionibacteria, Epstein-Barr virus,
• Histopathological examination reveals early papular lesions
and human herpes virus-8), environmental factors (dust,
with eczematous changes consisting of parakeratosis and
clay, pollen mold, and silica), and occupational exposure are
mild acanthosis
potential etiological agents. Th1 lymphocytes play a primary
• History of prolonged usage of corticosteroids or overzealous
role in granuloma formation as a result of deposition of poorly
use of cosmetics is a marker for diagnosis
soluble antigenic material in the tissue. Cutaneous lesions,
• Disappearance of symptoms upon removal of the offending
present in approximately 25-35% of patients with sarcoidosis,
agent.
may be the only distinct manifestation of the disease.[7]
Involvement of lymph nodes or salivary glands is manifested
WG
by bumpy enlargement. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly
may occur, owing to the presence of the disease in the liver WG, first described by Friedrich Wegener in 1936, is a chronic
and spleen. In the oral cavity, the disease manifests on the lips, relapsing granulomatous disease.[30] It involves the oral cavity,
vascular, renal, and respiratory systems. WG can occur at any Key features facilitating diagnosis[34-37]
age although majority of cases are seen in the fourth and fifth • Locally destructive, ulcerative lesions in the midline with no
decades of life with a slight male predilection.[30-32] Its exact systemic involvement
etiology remains unknown. Investigators believe the disease • Necrosis, non-specific inflammation with the absence of
is caused by an atypical immune reaction to a non-specific malignant epithelial cells.
infection or a hypersensitivity reaction to an unknown antigen.
Inflammation in WG is due to the formation of antineutrophil Angioedema
cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). ANCA-mediated vasculitis Angioedema, also known as Quincke’s disease, is an acute
involves the interaction of polymorphonuclear neutrophils edema of the mucosa or skin, characterized by an irregularly
and endothelial cells via cell adhesion molecule interactions.[33] shaped swelling, which manifests itself episodically.[38] Certain
Classically, WG comprises a triad of vascular, lung, and kidney allergens trigger the hypersensitivity reaction by binding to
infection. Involvement of the oral cavity occurs with considerable IgE, which causes release of histamine and other vasoactive
frequency. Gingival involvement is the most common and substances in mast cells. Among medications, non-steroidal anti-
characteristic manifestation and is termed strawberry gingivitis. inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and antiepileptics frequently
The inflammatory process begins in the interdental papilla and induce angioedema. It affects women more frequently than men.
spreads to the periodontium leading to bone loss and tooth Typical sites involved are lips, eyelid, genitals, and distal parts of
mobility. Ulceration of palate is a frequent feature followed by extremities. The affected skin becomes pale, sometimes slightly
extension of the disease to the nose, resulting in destruction of red. The swelling reaches its peak in several hours and dwindles.
the nasal septum.[6,32,33] The whole process lasts between 8 and 72 h [Table 3].[39-41]
the skin has been reported in the early course of the disease. The mucosal diseases. QJM 2000;93:507-11.
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