Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia: A potentially precancerous disease? (Review).

Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (MEH), also known as Heck's disease, manifests as a papulonodular lesion in the oral mucosa and has been associated with the human papillomavirus, a virus related to various precancerous diseases in the oral cavity. It has a predisposition for the female gender and for children. Although the majority of reported cases have been among American Indians and Eskimos, it has been described in multiple ethnic groups in various geographical locations. The objective of this review was to report on the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of MEH and its possible correlation with oral cancer. It is based on a search of articles in international journals published prior to April 2011, using the PubMed database and selecting articles related to the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of MEH. The review revealed a higher number of cases in individuals of American Indian origin and a predilection of the disease for the female gender and for patients between the 1st and 2nd decades of life. The most frequent lesion site was the lower lip. The disease has been associated with socio-economic and genetic factors, among others. No cases of malignant transformation have been reported.

Interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms and periodontal status in a Spanish population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between interleukin (IL)-1A (+4845) and/or IL-1B (+3954) gene polymorphisms and the onset and progression of chronic periodontal disease (PD), an issue that remains controversial. The relationship between IL-1ß concentration in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and disease activity was also evaluated. The study was performed on 25 individuals with no gingivitis or PD and on 25 subjects with active chronic PD. Two samples of GCF were obtained from each subject and IL-1ß was determined by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay. Blood samples (10 ml) were drawn from each subject to detect polymorphisms in IL-1A (+4845) and IL-1B (+3954) by polymerase chain reaction. Mean GCF IL-1ß concentrations were higher in patients with active chronic PD compared to the control group. No significant association was found in either group between GCF IL-1ß concentration and the presence of polymorphisms in IL-1A (+4845), IL-1B (+3954) or both genotypes. No significant difference was found in either group with regard to the presence of polymorphisms in IL-1A (+4845), IL-1B (+3954) or both genotypes (p=0.556). The concentration of IL-1ß in GCF was almost 2-fold higher in patients with chronic PD than in the healthy individuals. The presence of polymorphisms in IL-1A (+4845) and/or IL-1B (+3954) genotypes is not associated with IL-1ß overproduction in GCF and is not a risk factor for chronic PD. IL-1ß is considered a suitable marker of the severity and progression of chronic PD. The presence of IL-1A (+4845) and/or IL-1B +3954 gene polymorphisms does not appear to be a risk factor for chronic PD. Therefore, the IL-1A (+4845) and/or IL-1B +3954 gene polymorphisms cannot be considered genetic markers of chronic PD. Moreover, these polymorphisms do not indicate an overproduction of IL-1ß in GCF.