Primary gingival tuberculosis in pregnancy: A rare combination

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant health concern in India, causing widespread morbidity and mortality.
• While pulmonary TB is common, oral manifestations are rare, increasing the risk of misdiagnosis.
• TB during pregnancy poses serious risks to both mother and child.

Observation:

• A rare case of primary gingival tuberculosis presented as severe gingival overgrowth in a pregnant patient.
• The patient was in her fourth month of pregnancy, highlighting the complexity of the case.
• Clinical features included ulceration, nodules, granulomas, and fissures typical of oral lesions.

Findings:

• Primary gingival TB, particularly without concurrent pulmonary disease, is exceptionally uncommon.
• Gingival overgrowth can be an unusual presentation of oral tuberculosis.
• Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe outcomes.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of gingival overgrowth, especially in pregnant women.
• Prompt diagnosis and management are critical for successful treatment and preventing obstetric complications.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is key to achieving positive outcomes in complex cases of oral TB.