CHARACTERIZATION OF THE INFLAMMATORY CELL INFILTRATE IN CHRONIC HYPERPLASTIC CANDIDOSIS OF THE ORAL-MUCOSA

The inflammatory cell infiltrate in biopsy material of chronic hyperpl astic candidosis (CHC) from the oral mucosa was characterised using im munocytochemical techniques. Nine specimens were stained for human kap pa and lambda immunoglobulin light chains, CD68 antigen (macrophages), lysozyme (macrophages, granulocytes), CD3 antigen (T-lymphocytes), CD 20 antigen (B-lymphocytes) and leucocyte common antigen (LCA). In addi tion, these and a further 13 specimens were also examined for immunogl obulin (Ig)-containing cells (IgA, IgG and IgM). The density of the in filtrate varied considerably between cases; T-lymphocytes were the dom inant cell type (53.9%), with fewer B-lymphocytes (8.2%) and macrophag es (14.2%). Many Ig-containing cells were seen, and although IgG-conta ining cells predominated, (60.8%, SD +/-9.0) there was a high proporti on of IgA-containing cells (36.7%, SD +/-9.1) with few IgM-containing cells (2.5%, SD +/-3.0). Many neutrophils, together with smaller numbe rs of T-lymphocytes and macrophages, were seen in the epithelium. It i s suggested that mucosal defence to Candida infection involves a cell- mediated reaction in which there is recruitment of macrophages and loc al production of immunoglobulin with a prominent IgA component.