The composition of gingival inflammatory cell infiltrates in children studied by enzyme histochemistry

Abstract

Alcoforado GAP, Kristoffersen T. Johannessen AC and Nilsen R. The composition of gingival irtflammatory eell infiltrates in children studied by enzyme histochemistry. J Clin Periodoniol 1990; 17: 335-340. Abstract. Gingival biopsies were obtained from 23 children, aged 5-11 years (8.6+ 1.8 years). Specimens were taken from areas of the gingiva adjacent to the teeth which were to be extracted because of caries or its sequelae and which clinically had a gingival index score of at least 1. Staining for a-naphthyl acetate esterase with unspecific esterase at pH 5.8 (ANAE) permitted identification of T lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages. plasma cells and non-reactive (ANAEnegative) cells. Cells which tentatively were identified as "natural killer" (NK) cells were also observed. Differential cell counting was performed for 10 specimens, selected on the basis of the presence of a well-defined inflammalory infiltrate, clear morphology throughout and good ANAE staining. Cell counts confirmed earlier studies showing that lymphocytes predominate in the inflammatory infiltrates in childrens" gingivitis. T lymphocytas dominated particularly in the periphery of the most densely infiltrated areas. Relatively few plasma cells were seen. It was concluded that T lymphocytes dominate in the inflaimnatory infiltrate in childrens' gingivitis.