Oral manifestations of primary immunological diseases.
BACKGROUND
Primary immunodeficiencies have many oral manifestations. The clinical presentation of these diseases demonstrates the roles of different immune cells for the maintenance of oral health.


METHODS
The authors reviewed selected literature describing systemic and oral manifestations of the primary immunodeficiencies published between 1966 and 1999.


RESULTS
The authors found that oral candidiasis and herpetic infections are seen frequently in patients with T-cell deficiencies, while patients with B-cell deficiencies are most susceptible to bacterial infections. Periodontitis and oral candidiasis are found in some, but not all, phagocyte deficiencies.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings demonstrate that T cells, B cells and phagocytes all have roles in oral immunity.


CONCLUSIONS
Acquired conditions that affect the immune system such as diabetes, alcoholism and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as certain medications, will affect oral defense mechanisms. The effects that acquired immunodeficiencies will have on oral health can be predicted from the oral manifestations of primary immunodeficiencies.
Atkinson
J C
JC
Oral Medicine Training Program, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. 20892-1190, USA.
O'Connell
A
A
Aframian
D
D
D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D007109:Immunity; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology