Microorganism presence in desquamative gingivitis

Histologic tissue analysis was retrospectively performed on 19 cases which met the diagnostic criteria of desquamative gingivitis (DG) or benign mucous membrane pemphigoid (BMMP) to determine whether microorganisms were present. Original paraffin blocks were resectioned and tissue specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and with Brown and Brenn solutions. The presence of microorganisms at specific sites was recorded and identification of gram type and histomorphology was made. Bacteria were seen in hematoxylin and eosin and Brown and Brenn stained specimens on the epithelial surface in 31.6% and 68.4% of cases, within the epithelium in 0% and 57.9% of cases, within the subbasilar cleft in 52.6% and 94.7% of cases, and within the submucosa in 5.3% and 57.9% of cases respectively. The epithelial surface was colonized primarily by gram positive cocci (47.4%) and gram negative bacilli (42.1%), which also were the most common types of bacteria seen within the epithelium (26.3% each). 94.7% of specimens examined demonstrated gram negative bacilli within the subepithelial cleft. The predominate form of bacteria found in the submucosa was gram negative cocci (42.1%). Results of this study show that colonization of desquamative gingivitis/benign mucous membrane pemphigoid tissue samples occurs.