engleski

CD-68 positive cells in buccal mucosa as diagnostic marker for IBD

It is well known that Crohn' s disease (CD) may involve any part of gastrointestinal tract, including oral cavity. The aim of this study, was to determine if there are some microbiological and/or pathohistological changes in apparently normal buccal mucosa that can be a reliable marker for differentiating patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from healthy population and CD from ulcerative colitis (UC). The presence of microaggregate of CD-68 positive cells (immunostained macrophages) at the section from buccal mucosa was investigated (picture1.) We involved 52 patients with previously clinical and pathohistological diagnosed IBD (30 with CD and 22 patients with UC). The control group was matched for sex and age against IBD patients who were hospitalized for trauma in maxillofacial region and needed surgical approach thru oral cavity. The microaggregates of immunostained macrophages in buccal mucosa were found in 17 patients with CD and in 4 patients with UC (p=0.0121). In controls there were 3 positive for the respective findings (p=0.0241). The counts of bacteria in saliva or in smear of oral cavity were also measured. There was neither statistic difference in Candida albicans positive between IBD patients and controls nor CD vs. UC patients. The microaggregates of macrophages were detected in apparently normal buccal mucosa more frequently in patients with CD than in patients with UC and controls. The finding leads us to conclusion that CD-68 positive cells can be helpful marker that can make difference between CD and UC patients, but further studies are necessary.

CD-68; IBD; buccal mucosa

doi:10.1016/S1873-9954(07)70024-1