Tongue syphilitic lesion and the usefulness of immunohistochemistry

Diagnostic approaches in unsuspected oral lesions of syphilis

Awareness of the increased prevalence of syphilis is essential for early diagnosis and treatment, and to prevent the spread of the disease. Although serological studies are the primary tool used to confirm the diagnosis of secondary syphilis, biopsy of unsuspected oral lesions is not uncommon in the routine oral pathology laboratory. In these cases, histopathological characteristics are likely to indicate the possibility of syphilis, and an immunohistochemical reaction can confirm it. The aim of the present study was to highlight the histological features and test the efficacy of immunohistochemistry in the detection of Treponema pallidum in oral lesions biopsied with the assumption of a non-syphilitic disease. Thirty-nine tissue samples from patients for whom the possibility of syphilis was suggested on the basis of histopathological findings, were retrieved from the surgical oral pathology service files and submitted to immunohistochemical staining for T. pallidum. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Eighteen of the tissue samples were positive for T. pallidum. Following this, the contributing clinicians were contacted to check whether they had asked for serological examinations when the diagnostic report was received; for all 18 positive cases, the clinicians confirmed that the patients had tested positive at that time. This study shows the importance of clinical-pathological correlation and the value of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of unsuspected syphilis.

A gingival manifestation of histoplasmosis leading diagnosis

Histoplasmosis is a world-wide distributed deep mycosis caused by Histoplasma capsulatum which has been endemic in many countries. We present a case involving an immunocompetent man evidencing the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach and rational requisition of exams. The disease has started as a pulmonary disease mimicking tuberculosis, although the exams have been negative. Immunodiffusion test indicate histoplasmosis, not confirmed by culture of sputum. After days the patient was forwarded by a private doctor for evaluation of oral lesions at our Department of Stomatology. An incisional biopsy revealed a nonspecific granulomatous inflammation and the Grocott-Gomori methenamine silver stain identified scarce oval structures that could represent fungal yeast. Sampling oral lesions with swab, it was observed the typical growth of H. capsulatum on culture. This case highlights the importance of doctor's integration diagnosing histoplasmosis, while a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations should be expected. Oral lesions may be the critical manifestation leading diagnosis.