Oral granulomatosis-like lesions in liver-transplanted pediatric patients

Oral diseases after liver transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of liver transplantation on the occurrence and frequency of oral diseases in humans.Data sources The study query was performed on Medline/PubMed, Ovid, Cochrane Library and Embase databases, including the grey literature.Data selection Observational studies comparing the frequency of oral manifestations in post-liver transplantation patients versus reference population were eligible for inclusion.Data extraction and analysis The article selection, data extraction and quality assessment were executed by three independent investigators. A random-effects meta-analysis was carried out for computation of relative risks of oral malignancies (standardised incidence ratio [SIR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]).Data synthesis Among 248 studies identified, 11 met the eligibility criteria and six were included in the meta-analysis. Opportunistic fungal infections (Candida spp.) and lesions with malignant potential were reported to be more frequently prevalent after liver transplantation. Calculations indicated that after liver transplantation, the patients have a fivefold increased risk for oral cancer occurrence compared to the general population (SIR = 5.006; 95% CI 2.803 to 8.94; p <0.001).Conclusions The findings suggest that liver transplantation increases the risk of oral malignancies and the frequency of other mucosal lesions.

[New diagnostic classification of cheilitis and its clinical diagnostic pathway]

Cheilitis is a general term for various types of inflammatory diseases that occur on the lips. The etiology differs and the clinical manifestations and pathological features overlap, leading to difficulties in clinical diagnosis. Reasonable classification is conducive to the diagnosis of cheilitis. However, its classification is difficult because of its cha-racteristics. At present, scholars have proposed two different classification schemes, but a unified classification standard has not yet been established. We classified cheilitis based on its etiology, clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and relationship with systemic and special diseases on the basis of special medical reports and by combining clinical practice experience and summarizing previous cheilitis diagnosis and treatment literature. In accordance with this classification method, we proposed suggestions for the clinical diagnosis of cheilitis to provide a reference for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of complex cheilitis.

High Frequency of Concomitant Food Allergy Development and Autoantibody Formation in Children Who Have Undergone Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Allergy and other immune-mediated diseases are more frequently reported in children who have undergone liver transplantation. Furthermore, autoantibodies are also prevalent, suggesting a state of immune dysregulation in these patients. Whether or not these processes occur simultaneously in the same individual has not been studied previously.

METHODS

A cohort of 43 children who had undergone liver transplantation for nonautoimmune liver disease at median age of 1.3 years was investigated for allergy and autoimmune disease. Sensitization to food and inhalant allergens was assessed, and autoantibodies were measured.

RESULTS

The prevalence of food allergy was 26% and that of respiratory allergy was 23%, whereas 33% and 26% of the subjects were sensitized to food and inhalant allergens, respectively. Autoimmune disease (ie, autoimmune hepatitis) occurred in a single individual (2%), whereas autoantibodies were present in 44% of the children. Food allergy and autoantibodies occurred concomitantly in 19% of the children, which was almost twice the frequency expected by chance (11%, P = 0.04). Respiratory allergy and the presence of autoantibodies were unrelated (12% concurrence versus the expected 10%, P = 0.73). In the logistic regression analysis, autoantibody formation was associated with discontinued immunosuppression and food allergy, with odds ratios of 13 (P = 0.01) and 7.1 (P = 0.03), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to respiratory allergy, food allergy and autoantibody formation occurred together in the same children who underwent liver transplantation at a frequency higher than would be expected by chance. This may reflect an underlying immune dysregulation that impairs immune tolerance to both food allergens and autoantigens.

Amlodipine-induced gingival overgrowth in a child after liver transplant

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (GO) has been associated with phenytoin, cyclosporine, and calcium channel blocker therapies. This study reports the case of an 11-year-old girl who was referred for evaluation of GO, which had occurred over the last 6 months. Her medical history included a liver transplant due to biliary atresia 3 years ago, immunosuppressive therapy, and hypertension, which is why she was started on a daily intake of amlodipine. The intraoral examination showed generalized GO, and the treatment consisted of a gingivectomy. Subsequently, amlodipine was replaced with captopril and oral hygiene instructions. There was no recurrence of GO after 28 months of follow-up. Although GO may be related to the chronic use of amlodipine, such an association is uncommon in pediatrics, and the treatment consists of the replacement of medication combined with a surgical approach and plaque control.

Immunohistopathology of the Newly Discovered Giant Papillae Tongue Disorder in Organ-Transplanted Children

BACKGROUND

Giant papillae tongue disorder (GPTD) is a newly discovered, long-lasting clinical disorder that may develop in organ-transplanted pediatric recipients. The key feature of this disorder is the unique tongue lesion, which comprises swollen fungiform papillae. The aim of this study was to characterize the immunohistopathology of this novel inflammatory condition.

METHODS

Six organ transplanted children with GPTD were included in the study. Routine histopathology and immunohistochemical stainings for CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, FOXP3, CD20, CD138, CD68, CD1a, CD15, CD23, and mast cell tryptase were performed.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical analyses of the oral lesions revealed a subepithelial infiltrate that was primarily composed of CD3- and CD4-positive T cells, CD20-expressing B cells, macrophages, and CD138-positive plasma cells. The CD20-positive cells did not display the typical B cell morphology, having in general a more dendritic cell-like appearance. The CD138-expressing plasma cells were distinctly localized as a dense infiltrate beneath the accumulation of T cells and B cells. Increased numbers of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells were detected both in the epithelium and connective tissue. Because no granulomas were observed and only single lesional eosinophils were detected, GPTD does not resemble a granulomatous or eosinophilic condition.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe for the first time the immunopathological characteristics of a novel inflammatory disorder of the oral cavity, which may develop after solid organ transplantation in children.

Medical management of children after liver transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Successful outcomes in patient, graft survival, and quality of life depend on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of possible complications. The aim of the study was to highlight the common outcomes focusing on the unique features in children. Medical follow-up of children after liver transplantation includes monitoring of surgical complications: biliary and vascular, rejection, infections, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, other malignancies, recurrent disease, graft function, hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, among other conditions. The goal is to maintain normal graft function on minimal immunosuppression to avoid medication-induced side-effects.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent findings include the importance of meticulous follow-up of Epstein-Barr virus and Cytomegalic virus viral load, leading to early diagnosis and improved prognosis, increased prevalence of renal toxicity, cognitive dysfunction, autoimmune, atopic and eosinophilic disease, oral hygiene and chronic hepatitis, and fibrosis of allografts.

SUMMARY

Caring for children after liver transplantation is extremely rewarding; however, careful attention must be paid to a variety of systems with understanding of the distinctiveness of pediatrics to assure optimal outcomes.