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Focal epithelial hyperplasia in a group of South Africans: Its clinical and microscopic features
Author(s) -
Wyk C. W.,
Staz J.,
Farman A. G.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0714.1977.tb01789.x
Subject(s) - hyperplasia , disease , pathology , distribution (mathematics) , significant difference , medicine , demography , mathematics , mathematical analysis , sociology
. Thirty‐seven cases of focal epithelial hyperplasia were discovered among pupils of reform schools and none among pupils of ordinary schools. This difference in occurrence was significant ( P < 0.01). Lesions were either discrete papules or clusters of papules; and the lining mucosa was the most affected part. Eighteen cases were examined microscopically revealing the typical features of the condition. The fact that these lesions occurred in a select group of pupils all of whom are classified as Cape Coloureds point to either a selective distribution of the disease or a spread of the disease among people living in communal circumstances. This pattern of distribution coupled with the clinical and histological features would fit a disease of viral origin which is also communicable.