A C Jones1, M L Gulley, P D Freedman. 1. Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA. jonesac@uthscsa.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to delineate the histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and virologic characteristics of 18 cases of necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis. STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen examples or oral ulcerations in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive individuals were identified that displayed unique histopathologic features. Immunohistochemic staining for CD1a, CD3, CD23, CD68, HLA-DR, p24, cytomegalovirus, HSV-1, and HSV-2 was performed, along with in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus RNA and special staining for bacteria and fungi. RESULTS: The lesions demonstrated ulceration, extensive necrosis, leukocytoclasia, histiocytic vasculitis with luminal fibrin clots, and a prominent infiltrate of large atypical cells with amphophilic cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei, and prominent nucleoli, interspersed with crescentic histiocytes, a histologic picture resembling extranodal Kikuchi's disease. Immunohistochemical findings suggested that the large atypical cells were histiocytes. Fifty-six percent (10/18) of the cases were immunoreactive for human immunodeficiency virus p24 within focal histiocytes, whereas Epstein-Barr virus RNA was identified in 1 (6%) of 17 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by specific, reproducible microscopic features. We postulate that the histopathologic resemblance of necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis to extranodal Kikuchi's disease reflects a similar immune response to differing pathogens.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective study was to delineate the histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and virologic characteristics of 18 cases of necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis. STUDY DESIGN: Eighteen examples or oral ulcerations in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive individuals were identified that displayed unique histopathologic features. Immunohistochemic staining for CD1a, CD3, CD23, CD68, HLA-DR, p24, cytomegalovirus, HSV-1, and HSV-2 was performed, along with in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus RNA and special staining for bacteria and fungi. RESULTS: The lesions demonstrated ulceration, extensive necrosis, leukocytoclasia, histiocytic vasculitis with luminal fibrin clots, and a prominent infiltrate of large atypical cells with amphophilic cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei, and prominent nucleoli, interspersed with crescentic histiocytes, a histologic picture resembling extranodal Kikuchi's disease. Immunohistochemical findings suggested that the large atypical cells were histiocytes. Fifty-six percent (10/18) of the cases were immunoreactive for human immunodeficiency virus p24 within focal histiocytes, whereas Epstein-Barr virus RNA was identified in 1 (6%) of 17 cases. CONCLUSIONS:Necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by specific, reproducible microscopic features. We postulate that the histopathologic resemblance of necrotizing ulcerative stomatitis to extranodal Kikuchi's disease reflects a similar immune response to differing pathogens.