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Plasma Cell Gingivitis Article
Plasma Cell Gingivitis Article
162]
Original Article
Clinicopathological and
immunohistochemical analysis of
plasma cell gingivitis‑ A retrospective
study
Vandana Gupta, Harpreet Kaur,1 Vikender Singh Yadav, Sunny Kala,1
Deepika Mishra1
plasma cells.[9] CD56 is neural cell adhesion molecule which For the literature review, we conducted an extensive search of
is expressed in 70%–80% of malignant plasma cells.[12] CD117 published English literature from 1971 to 2020 using PubMed
is hematopoietic growth factor which is observed in 33% and Google Scholar as the primary databases. The MeSH terms
of plasma cell myeloma (PCM) patients. However, the lack used were PCG, gingiva, idiopathic enlargement, maxilla, and
of expression of these markers in malignant plasma cell mandible. The cases previously reported were compared with
neoplasms indicates more aggressive behavior. Nevertheless, our series of PCG.
normal plasma cells are typically negative for both CD56 and
CD117.[13] Ki67 is well‑known cell proliferation marker related RESULTS
to aggressive biological behavior.[14] Mukherjee et al. studied
the expression of CD44, CD34, CD43, Ki67, and CD117 in The study included 9 histopathological confirmed cases of
addition to kappa lambda profile in discrimination of PCG PCG comprising 6 females and 3 males (M:F ratio‑1:2). The age
from malignancies.[15] However CD56 expression is not yet range was 14–82 years with a mean age of presentation being
studied in PCG. 45.3 years [Table 1; Figure 1].
Thus, the aim of the present study was to retrospectively Predisposing factors remain unidentified in all except one
analyze clinico‑pathological characteristics of PCG reported at case where there was associated implant‑supported prosthesis
a tertiary care dental hospital. We emphasize the conventional adjacent to the lesion. Clinical differential diagnosis included
multidisciplinary approach integrating microscopic features idiopathic gingival enlargement, PCG, granulomatous
with history, clinical and imaging details for reaching diseases, mucocutaneous lesions, pyogenic granuloma,
the accurate diagnosis. Further, the role of hematological and rarely malignancies, namely leukemia, extramedullary
investigations and immunohistochemical evaluation of CD138, plasmacytoma (EMP), and PCM. Normal hematological profile
ruled out leukemia and lupus erythematosus.
CD56, CD117, Ki67, and kappa lambda in differentiating PCG
from malignant neoplasms is also highlighted and the relevant
Microscopy of the cases characteristically exhibited intense
literature is examined.
plasma cell infiltrates (>50%–70%) within vascular stroma with
no cellular atypia and variable epithelial changes [Figure 2].
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Epithelial characteristics
After receiving institutional ethical approval and following All cases were circumscribed showing epithelial covering
Helsinki Declaration and their guidelines, we retrospectively focally with predominant areas of ulceration. All cases
reviewed 2044 biopsies received in the department of oral displayed hyperplasia, acanthosis, spongiosis while some
pathology and microbiology, from January 2018 to July 2020. cases showed arcading pattern (Case 2, 5, and 9) and plasma
The paraffin‑embedded blocks of confirmed PCG cases were pooling (Case 6). All cases showed parakeratinization, while
retrieved from the archives. All hematoxylin‑ and eosin‑stained 4 (Case 4, 5,7, and 8) cases showed loss of keratinization in
sections of PCG cases were analyzed. The pertinent details were few areas. Only 4 cases showed leukocyte exocytosis (Case
retrieved from case files of patients. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) 1, 2, 5, 7).
stain was used to exclude candidiasis. To rule out overt
malignancies and to confirm the polyclonal nature of plasma Connective tissue characteristics
cells, immunohistochemistry with Ki67, CD56, CD117, CD138, There was an intense infiltration of plasma cells predominantly
Kappa, and lambda were performed for each case. These cases arranged in sheets and lobules while few cases (1, 2, and
were re‑evaluated by the pathologists and the final diagnosis 8) showed diffuse arrangement. All the cases showed
of PCG was confirmed. mild‑to‑moderate vascularity with engorged blood vessels.
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In addition, Case 8 showed histiocytes and multinucleated overlooked. Another reason for increased frequency of PCG in
giant cells. our institute can be attributed to the fact that our center is an
apex referral center. PCG does not always respond well to the
Histopathological differentials considered were PCG, IgG4 treatment prescribed due to unidentifiable etiological factors
related disease (RD), and PCDs such as plasmacytoma and its in most situations. Hence, the patients are generally referred
multicentric form‑PCM [Table 2]. Immunohistochemically, to higher centers for the relief of symptoms.
plasma cells in all the cases showed mixed reactivity for both
Kappa and lambda (kappa lambda ratio of 1:01) confirming a The analysis of the published literature revealed female
polyclonal nature. These cells were negative for CD117, CD56, predominance with male‑to‑female ratio of 1:1.42. The age
PAS; immunopositive for CD138 and exhibited low to negative ranged from 12 to 70 years (mean 31.6) and presentation in the
Ki67 proliferation index (1%–4%) [Figure 3]. The published pediatric age group was rare. The maxillary lesions were more
literature showed 43 reported cases of PCG from 1971 to common, involving the anterior gingiva in the majority of cases.
2020 [Supplementary Table 1].[1, 4-7, 9,11,15-25,27,33-48] The herbal toothpaste and their ingredients were recognized as
risk factors in most of the cases. Clinical appearance varied from
DISCUSSION gingival enlargement (18 cases), followed by the erythematous
lesion (13 cases), ulcerated swollen mass (6 cases), and gingival
In the present study, 9 cases of PCG were diagnosed in the last inflammation (6 cases).
3 years as compared to only 43 cases reported in the literature
in the last 50 years. It can be explained by two reasons. First, it Upon comparing the characteristic features of PCG in the
can be suggested that the low number of PCG cases is a result published literature with our cases, similarities were observed
of under‑reporting since the entity is not novel, also since in sex predilection where a female predominance was
only literature in English were searched and included in the demonstrable, with involvement of maxillary and mandibular
manuscript, case reports in other languages were most likely arch more frequently than tongue, lip, and palate. [4,17,18]
The predisposing risk factors remained unidentified in the
majority of the cases in literature which is concurrent with
our observations. Some reports have found herbal agents in
dentifrices,[19,20] Khat leaves,[21] colocasia (arbi) leaves,[1] mint,[22]
fixed prosthesis, and dietary components as contributing factors.
The lesions get eventually resolved by identifying the risk factor
and eliminating it from the patient diet.[3] Unfortunately, in our
a b
a b
c d
c d
e f
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series, the predisposing factor remains unidentified except for IgG4‑RD is a rare fibro‑inflammatory systemic disease with
one case where the prosthetic component proved to be risk comprehensive diagnostic criteria which is a combination
factor for PCG. This was consistent with the case reported by of clinical, imaging, laboratory, and histopathological
Prasanna et al.[23] findings.[30,31] None of our present cases could fulfill the
diagnostic criteria for IgG4‑RD and thus this differential was
PCG clinically mimics other reactive lesions such as pyogenic excluded.
granuloma, peripheral giant cell granuloma, immune‑mediated
mucous lesions such as cicatricial pemphigoid and discoid lupus Barbe et al. have reported a case of sickle cell anemia mimicking
erythematosus and histologically mimic PCDs and IgG4 RD. PCG the diagnosis of which was confirmed by altered
hematological profile and electrophoresis.[16] Histopathological
Clinically the current cases showed generalized gingival examination showed diffuse intense infiltrate of plasma
enlargement involving marginal and attached gingiva with cells in the subepithelial connective tissue with no evidence
altered contour and rolled out margins that is identical to the of cytological atypia. Vishnu et al. reported a case of PCG
case reported by Vishnu et al.[7] Diffuse swollen erythematous mimicking granulomatous disease.[7] Polyclonal nature of
mass and gingival ulceration were observed which are plasma cells was confirmed by kappa lambda light chain
consistent with previous reports.[24,25] Radiographic finding co‑expression is most of the cases.
of generalized horizontal bone loss was seen in a single case
as mentioned in the literature.[15] Silverman has described Further PCDs should be excluded before labeling a lesion
syndromic association with the triad of PCG, glossitis, and as reactive PCG. [3] PCDs, are malignant neoplasms of
cheilitis but no case in our series showed this association.[26] monoclonal plasma cells exhibiting metastatic potential.
Three cases in the literature were associated with supraglottic Solitary plasmacytoma of bone is unicentric malignancy
lesions but none of our present cases showed laryngeal with origin within bone whereas EMP is predominantly seen
lesions.[27] Similarly, Tandon et al. reported a case of oral in the head–and‑neck region. PCM is systemic malignancy
tuberculosis that mimicked PCG on incisional biopsy, however, with multicentric origin within the bone with the same
chest radiograph and excisional biopsy confirmed it to be histopathology as plasmacytoma but poorer prognosis.[3,32,33]
tubercular gingivitis.[28] As both reactive and neoplastic plasma cells exhibit CD138
immunopositivity, the restriction in production of one of
Few isolated case reports have mentioned plasma cell granuloma the two (kappa and lambda) light chains is a promising way
as a manifestation of underlying IgG4‑ RD (IgG4‑RD).[29] to confirm monoclonality.[3] Immunonegativity to CD117,
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Supplementary Table 1: Literature review of histopathologically confirmed cases of plasma cell gingivitis from 1971
to 2020
Author, year Gender, Location Predisposing Clinical Clinical and Special stains and Treatment Follow up
age factor presentation laboratory immunohistochemistry
investigations
Kerr DA ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑
et al., 1977##
Palmer RM Female, Maxilla UI Swollen upper NHP^^ Cytology negative for Topical 2 years,
et al., 1981 29 anterior gingiva candidal hyphae triamcinolone in NR
orabase
Palmer RM Male, Maxilla UI Swollen upper NHP Special stains negative Topical 2 years,
et al., 1981 52 anterior gingiva for fungal hyphae triamcinolone in NR
orabase
Serio FG Female, Maxilla Red pepper Severe gingival NHP, negative Nonsurgical 1 month
et al., 1981 36 and inflammation Nikolsky’s sign periodontal
mandible therapy
Newcomb Female, Maxilla UI Erythema, ‑ ‑ Gingivectomy 2 year
GM et al., 12 and gingival
1982* mandible enlargement
D’Angelo M ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑
et al., 1983##
Maioli S ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑
et al., 1984##
Lubow RM M,36 Maxilla Dynamints Ulcerated History of NA Gingivectomy 8 months,
et al., 1984 marginal gingiva psoriasis, NR
NHP except
increased
eosinophils
Macleod RI ‑ ‑ Herbal ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑
et al., 1989** toothpaste
Timms MS Female, Maxilla UI Gingival Supraglottic Positive reactivity for Systemic steroids Long term
et al., 1991 70 and erythema and laryngeal kappa and lambda light
mandible laryngeal lesions involvement chains and various
heavy chains
Timms MS Female, Maxilla UI Gingival Supraglottic Positive reactivity for Systemic steroids Long term
et al., 1991 32 and erythema and laryngeal kappa and lambda light
mandible laryngeal lesions involvement chains and various
heavy chains
Timms MS Female, Maxilla UI Gingival Supraglottic Positive reactivity for Systemic steroids Long term
et al., 1991 57 and erythema and laryngeal kappa and lambda light
mandible laryngeal lesions involvement chains and various
heavy chains
Nitta H et al., ‑ ‑ UI Gingival ‑ ‑ Conventional ‑
1991* enlargement periodontal
therapy
Sollecito TP Female, Maxilla UI Erythematous NHP, negative Non‑specific Topical steroids 3 weeks,
et al., 1992 61 gingiva lupus band immunofluorescence, remission
test and ANA cell marker analysis
antibodies suggestive of reactive
infiltrate
Sollecito TP Female, Maxilla UI Erythematous NHP NA Topical steroids 3 weeks,
et al., 1992 62 gingiva remission
Reed BE Female, Maxilla UI Generalized NHP Direct and indirect Conventional ‑
et al., 1993 37 and swelling immunofluorescence periodontal
mandible revealed reactive treatment
plasma cells
Gargiulo AV ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑ ‑
et al., 1995*
Mahler V Female, Maxilla UI Erythematous NA 90% IgG producing Topical 2% 10 weeks,
et al., 1996 53 maxillary gingiva plasma cells, Special fusidic acid resolution
stains negative for
fungal hyphae, positive
reactivity for kappa and
lambda
Marker P Male, Mandible Khat Erythematous Marked bone PAS negative for fungal Nonsurgical 2 weeks,
et al., 2002 30 gingiva destruction on hyphae periodontal remission
imaging therapy
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