Report of a case of discoid lupus erythematosus localised to the oral cavity: immunofluorescence findings.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE) is a chronic disease with a typical cutaneous involvement. This pathology rarely involves mucosa: oral cavity is interested in 20 percent of DLE patients. We describe a case of oral DLE in a 50-year-old woman with an anamnesis for autoimmune disorders. This study shows the helpful role of immunofluorescence in the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. The first diagnostic step was the clinical observation of the oral mucosa: the lesion area was erythematous, atrophic and hyperkeratotic. The patient then underwent laboratory examination. We utilized human epithelial cells (Hep-2010) for Indirect Immuno-Fluorescence (IIF). Moreover, the biopsy site for Direct Immuno-Fluorescence (DIF) and histopathological analysis was the untreated oral lesion. IIF detected an increase of Anti-Nuclear Antibody (ANA) and positivity for SSA-RO. By DIF, we observed IgG/IgA/fibrinogen along basal layer. Multiple biopsies reported signs of chronic basal damage. Steroid systemic therapy induced a considerable lesion regression. We suggest the use of immunofluorescence with the integration of further data to improve diagnosis of rare diseases and to establish a suitable therapy.

[HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigens) and oral immunological diseases]. / HLA (human leukocyte antigens) a malattie autoimmuni del cavo orale.

The immunologic, pathogenetic and clinical relationships between HLA antigens and oral immunologic diseases are described. The HLA typing is useful for an early diagnosis because it allows to single out the subjects at risk in a particular studied family.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): controlled open trial of the efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) on symptomatology.

BACKGROUND: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), is a potent antioxidant mitochondrial coenzyme, the trometamol salt of thioctic acid that has been shown in clinical studies to be neuroprotective. This study examined the effect of ALA on the symptomatology of Burning mouth syndrome (BMS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with BMS and no clinical or laboratory evidence of organic oral disease were divided into two groups (Test and Control) each of 21 subjects, matched for age and sex. The Test group were given ALA (thioctic acid; Tiobec) for 30 days, as 600 mg per day orally for 20 days followed by 200 mg per day for 10 days. The Control group were given cellulose starch 100 mg per day as placebo for 30 days. All BMS patients were reviewed at 10-day intervals and scored for changes in symptomatology. RESULTS: Significant improvements were shown in the symptomatology of BMS in up to two-thirds of patients with BMS receiving alpha-lipoic acid, in about 15% of those using placebo and also in up to two-thirds of those who, having tried placebo, were switched to ALA.

[A statistical epidemiological study of a possible correlation between serum transaminase levels and viral hepatic pathology markers and lichen planus orale]. / Indagine statistico-epidemiologica su di una possibile correlazione tra livelli sierici di transaminasi e markers di patologie virali epatiche e lichen planus orale.

The aim of the present study is to carry out a clinical-statistical research into a large number of patients suffering from oral lichen planus (LPO) and from different odontostomatologic pathologies. In both groups of patients serum transaminase values and eventual presence of hepatopathy viral markers were investigated in order to identify a possible correlation between the aforesaid parameters and LPO, considered in its various clinical forms (papular and erosive essentially). Results had showed a close association between hepatopathy and LPO, according to results of studies performed by other Italian and Spanish groups and differently from Anglo-Saxon authors: above all an increased incidence of C hepatitis in patients with lichen was observed. Furthermore our investigation is agreed in underlining the great importance to attach to erosive form of oral lichen, that seems to join to active chronic hepatitis most frequently than papular one.

[Dental enamel hypoplasia in a group of celiac disease patients. Clinico-epidemiologic correlations]. / Ipoplasia dello smalto dentario in un gruppo di soggetti celiaci. Correlazioni clinico-epidemiologiche.

BACKGROUND: The aim of present study was to carry out a personal clinical-epidemiological research concerning a possible correlation between coeliac disease and enamel hypoplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients of Cam-pania, aged between 2 and 26 years old, with a diagnosis of coeliac disease (diagnosis in accordance with recent protocol ESPGAN), were subjected to a careful dental examination: at the same time a control-group formed by 105 healthy subjects, of the same province, age- and sex-matched with coeliac patients was examined. RESULTS: The finding of enamel hypoplasias was more significant in coeliac patients (11 cases with a percentage of 2.4%) than in controls (5 cases with a percentage of 4.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The percent rate, if on the one hand is lower than in Finnic studies, on the other hand fundamentally reflects the results of studies on the same topic carried out by other Italian groups. Furthermore also in this research the involvement of milk-teeth is observed as reported by other authors. This appears to confirm a clear association between coeliac disease and dental hard tissues alterations.