Oral tuberculosis involving maxillary gingiva

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is transmitted by aerosolized saliva droplets among individuals in close contact with expelled sputum of a diseased patient. However, TB lesions of the oral cavity are often overlooked in the differential diagnosis. We report here a case of tuberculosis of oral cavity affecting the gingiva of a 24-year-old male.

A case of mandibular tuberculosis osteomyelitis with no pulmonary lesion

“…The disease can appear clinically in the form of a granuloma, an ulcer, orofacial TB, TB of the salivary gland, or tuberculous lymphadenitis [1,5,6]. Rarely, secondary oral manifestations are observed on the tongue, gingival tissue, buccal mucosa, palate, labial or lingual frenum, lips, and in the jaw bones [1,5,7]. Recently, a better prognosis has been observed in some developed nations that have experienced a degree of improvement in both economic and social conditions as well as the proper use of specific antibiotics with an antituberculous action [4].…”

“…Head and neck infections could occur through hematogenous or lymphatic channels [5]. The disease can appear clinically in the form of a granuloma, an ulcer, orofacial TB, TB of the salivary gland, or tuberculous lymphadenitis [1,5,6]. Rarely, secondary oral manifestations are observed on the tongue, gingival tissue, buccal mucosa, palate, labial or lingual frenum, lips, and in the jaw bones [1,5,7].…”

“…The blocking of the Haversian canals by scar and necrotic tissues within these areas interferes with the antibiotics administered to the areas systemically. Accordingly, the diseased bone is removed surgically and local spread of the disease to the neighboring tissues is prevented [1,12,13].…”

“…Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that is transmitted by inhalation of air droplets from an infected patient with active TB [1,2]. In 2011, the WHO reported that B8.7 million patients were affected by TB, whereas the associated mortality reached up to 1.4 million, and this occurred more commonly in developing countries [3,4].…”

“…Early diagnosis of tuberculous osteomyelitis would reduce the morbidity of the disease; otherwise, it can lead to adverse complications such as internal organ damage and tuberculous meningitis [1,4].…”