Quantification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals with and without tuberculosis

Exploring the Oral Manifestations of Tuberculosis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Prevalence and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Oral Lesions

BACKGROUND

The study aimed to report all cases of oral tuberculosis (TB), a rare manifestation of the fatal infectious disease primarily affecting the pulmonary system. The report also evaluated the clinicopathological characteristics of oral TB lesions.

METHODS

A total of 25 patients who presented with oral lesions between August 2013 and August 2023 were diagnosed with TB through surgical biopsy despite having no prior history of the disease. Their clinical symptoms, auxiliary examinations, treatments, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed for further study.

RESULTS

In a study of 25 patients with oral TB, all patients were found to have the disease, with 16 males and 9 females affected. The gender distribution was skewed toward males, with a 1.77 male-to-female ratio. Twelve cases of the affected sites were reported in the mandible, six cases in the buccal mucosa, four in the lips, two in the gingiva, and one in the tongue. The age range of affected patients was 0-70 years old, and all lesions were indicative of primary TB. The appearance of the affected mucosa varied, with ulceration and swelling being the most common manifestations.

CONCLUSION

Patients who present with oral ulcerations and swellings should be evaluated for the possibility of TB. To confirm and differentiate this condition from other diseases, obtaining a biopsy specimen for histological analysis and performing acid-fast stains and cultures is recommended. These tests will enable a precise diagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.

Prevalence of oral lesions in tuberculosis: A cross sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Tuberculosis (Tb) is a fatal infectious disease that primarily affects the pulmonary system and rarely occurs in other body organs including oral cavity. The aim of this study was to report all patients with primary manifestations of oral tuberculosis and to evaluate the clinical characteristics of oral tuberculosis lesions. All these patients were subsequently diagnosed with tuberculosis based on oral histological findings and referred for management and therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with oral lesions from the year 2010 to 2018 were histologically diagnosed as having tuberculosis, who did not give any history of the disease, following surgical biopsy. Clinical symptoms, auxiliary examinations, treatments, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Oral TB was found in all 12 patients; 8 males and 4 females, with male to female ratio 8:4. Involved oral sites included the angle of the mandible (one case), right mandibular molar region (two cases), left mandibular molar region (four cases), gingiva (three cases), buccal mucosa (one case), and the tongue (one case). Oral TB patients in this series ranged in the age group of 6-65 years. All the lesions were suggestive of primary tuberculosis. The appearance of the affected mucosa in oral TB was variable. The most common manifestation was ulceration and swelling of the mucosa.

CONCLUSION

TB should be considered in patients with oral ulcerations and swellings. A biopsy specimen for histological study, acid-fast stains, and cultures should be obtained for confirmation and differential diagnosis along with other conditions.