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Oral hairy leukoplakia: ultrastructural features
Journal of Oral Pathology
|October 1, 1986
Summary
Oral hairy leukoplakia, a condition affecting homosexual males, was ultrastructurally analyzed. Electron microscopy revealed Candida albicans and a herpes-type virus in all cases.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Virology
- Mycology
Background:
- Oral hairy leukoplakia is a distinct lesion found on the lateral tongue.
- This condition has been primarily observed in homosexual males.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an ultrastructural analysis of oral hairy leukoplakia.
- To identify the microorganisms and viruses associated with the condition.
Main Methods:
- Ultrastructural analysis using electron microscopy.
- Examination of ten cases of oral hairy leukoplakia from homosexual males.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans hyphae were observed penetrating epithelial cells (extracellular, intracellular, and intranuclear).
- Herpes-type virus was detected in all cases, with nucleocapsids in nuclei and virions in cytoplasm/extracellular spaces.
- Koilocytoid ballooned cells with nuclear changes indicative of viral infection were present.
- Bundles of tubular structures were noted in the cytoplasm of some koilocytoid cells.
- No evidence of papilloma virus was found.
Conclusions:
- Oral hairy leukoplakia involves co-infection with Candida albicans and a herpes-type virus.
- The ultrastructural findings confirm the viral etiology of the characteristic cellular changes in oral hairy leukoplakia.