Primary tuberculous gingival enlargement - A rare clinical entity: Case report and brief review of the literature

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic specific granulomatous disease and a major cause of death in developing countries. The clinical presentation of TB lesions of the oral cavity varies widely and can manifest as ulcerations, diffuse inflammatory lesions, granulomas and fissures. Oral lesions generally appear secondary to primary TB infection elsewhere, although primary infection of the oral mucosa by Mycobacterium tuberculosis has also been described. We hereby report a case of primary TB of the gingiva manifesting as gingival enlargement. Diagnosis was based on histopathological examination, complete blood count, X-ray chest and immunological investigations with detection of antibodies against M. tuberculosis. Anti-tuberculous therapy was carried out for over 6 months and was followed by surgical excision of the residual enlargement under local anesthesia. After 1-year follow-up, there was no recurrence of the disease. This case report emphasizes the need for dentists to include TB in the differential diagnosis of various types of gingival enlargements.

Polymerase chain reaction: A molecular diagnostic tool in periodontology

“…It is also used to identify Mt in gingival enlargement and osteomyelitis. [ 47 48 ] Certain new microbial species like Methanobrevibacter oralis identified in periodontal diseases using PCR have not yet been cultivated. [ 45 ] Recently, open-ended PCR/sequencing techniques are used to detect Gram-positive organisms Peptostreptococcus and Filifactor, genera Megasphaera and Desulfobulbus , species or phylotypes of Atopobium, Campylobacter, Catonella, Deferribacteres, Dialister, Eubacterium, Selenomonas, Streptococcus, Tannerella , and Treponema which are elevated in periodontal disease.…”

Gingival enlargement unveiling crohn's disease – A report of a rarefied case

“…[ 1 ] Several systemic diseases may develop oral manifestations that can result in gingival enlargement, but it is very rare. Chronic granulomatous diseases such as tuberculosis[ 2 ] and sarcoidosis[ 3 ] can manifest as gingival enlargement in the oral mucosa.…”