Geographic tongue and psoriasis: clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic correlation - a literature review

Abstract

Geographic tongue is a chronic, inflammatory, and immune-mediated oral lesion of unknown etiology. It is characterized by serpiginous white areas around the atrophic mucosa, which alternation between activity, remission and reactivation at various locations gave the names benign migratory glossitis and wandering rash of the tongue. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with frequent cutaneous involvement and an immunogenetic basis of great importance in clinical practice. The association between geographic tongue and psoriasis has been demonstrated in various studies, based on observation of its fundamental lesions, microscopic similarity between the two conditions and the presence of a common genetic marker, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) HLA-C*06. The difficulty however in accepting the diagnosis of geographic tongue as oral psoriasis is the fact that not all patients with geographic tongue present psoriasis. Some authors believe that the prevalence of geographic tongue would be much greater if psoriatic patients underwent thorough oral examination. This study aimed to develop a literature review performed between 1980 and 2014, in which consultation of theses, dissertations and selected scientific articles were conducted through search in Scielo and Bireme databases, from Medline and Lilacs sources, relating the common characteristics between geographic tongue and psoriasis. We observed that the frequency of oral lesions is relatively common, but to establish a correct diagnosis of oral psoriasis, immunohistochemical and genetic histopathological analyzes are necessary, thus highlighting the importance of oral examination in psoriatic patients and cutaneous examination in patients with geographic tongue.

Benign Migratory Glossitis: Case Report and Literature Review

“…An association has also been reported between the BMG and asthma, eczema, hay fever, elevated serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and atopic patients [4,9]. Our patient denied allergy to any medication Various studies have demonstrated an association between BMG and psoriasis on the bases of microscopic similarity between the two conditions and the presence of a common genetic marker, HLA-C*06.Its prevalenceina population of psoriasis patients is approximately 5% [1,4,8]. Our patient had no psoriasis.…”

“…An association between BMG and the fissured tongue has been reported in literature [1,4,10,11]. The fissured tongue is an asymptomatic, benign condition characterized by fissures or grooves on dorsal surface of the tongue.…”

“…It commonly occurs on the tip, lateral borders, and dorsum of the tongue; extending sometimes to the ventral surface as well. BMG shows periods of exacerbation and remission with recovery in one area and appearance in other area; thus explaining the typical migratory nature of this lesion [1][2][3].…”

Benign Migratory Glossitis: Case Report and Literature Review

“…Its prevalence in a population of psoriasis patients is approximately 5%. [1,4,8] Our patient had no psoriasis.…”

“…The most frequently reported prevalence is 1-2.5% with no gender predilection. [1] It commonly occurs on the tip, lateral borders, and dorsum of the tongue; extending sometimes to the ventral surface as well. BMG shows periods of exacerbation and remission with recovery in one area and appearance in other area; thus explaining the typical migratory nature of this lesion.…”