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Oral ulcer: an uncommon site in primary tuberculosis
Author(s) -
Aoun N,
ElHajj G,
El Toum S
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australian dental journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.701
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1834-7819
pISSN - 0045-0421
DOI - 10.1111/adj.12263
Subject(s) - medicine , tuberculosis , histopathology , differential diagnosis , disease , oral cavity , primary tuberculosis , oral mucosa , infectious disease (medical specialty) , antibiotics , surgery , dermatology , dentistry , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It can affect any part of the body, including the oral cavity. Oral lesions of tuberculosis, though uncommon, have been observed in both primary and secondary stages of the disease. This article presents a case of primary tuberculosis manifested as a non‐healing, tender ulcer on the lingual mucosa of the edentulous right mandibular arch molar zone, an uncommon site. The diagnosis was confirmed after histopathology examination, polymerase chain reaction and purified protein derivative tests and chest radiograph. A recommended treatment plan of six months with four anti‐tuberculotic antibiotics was commenced. Clinically, the oral ulcer disappeared three months after the commencement of treatment. The resurgence of tuberculosis should compel clinicians to include the disease in the differential diagnosis of various types of non‐healing oral ulcers.