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Case Reports
. 2022 Jul-Aug;26(4):397-400.
doi: 10.4103/jisp.jisp_806_20. Epub 2022 Jul 2.

Plasma cell gingivitis: A perplexing and rare clinical entity

Muneesh Joshi  1 , T Prasanth  1 , Manab Kosala  1 , S K Bhandari  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Plasma cell gingivitis: A perplexing and rare clinical entity

Muneesh Joshi et al. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2022 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Plasma cell gingivitis (PCG) is a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. It is also referred to as atypical gingivostomatitis, idiopathic gingivostomatitis, allergic gingivostomatitis, and plasma cell gingivostomatitis which are characterized by bright fiery red gingiva with spontaneous bleeding on slight provocation. It is often confused with inflammatory gingival enlargement, erythematosus lichen planus, and other lesions. One such rare and benign entity is discussed in this article and managed after thorough clinical, radiological, histopathology, immunohistochemistry analysis.

Keywords: Allergic gingivostomatitis; atypical gingivostomatitis; gingival enlargement; idiopathic gingivostomatitis; immunohistochemistry; plasma cell gingivitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Arrow showing preoperative, bright fiery red, highly inflamed, edematous gingiva including marginal, papillary, and attached gingiva extending from 13 to 23 in the maxillary arch and 33 to 43 in the mandibular arch
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histopathological examination sections under ×40. Arrow showing predominant plasma cell infiltrates having the characteristic eccentrically placed nucleus
Figure 3
Figure 3
Photomicrograph showing immunohistochemistry with CD38
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photomicrograph showing immunohistochemistry with CD138
Figure 5
Figure 5
Photomicrograph showing positive immunohistochemistry with CD38. Plasma cells do not show any light chain restriction with immunohistochemical staining for kappa and lambda chains
Figure 6
Figure 6
Photomicrograph showing positive immunohistochemistry with CD138 and plasma cells do not show any light chain restriction with immunohistochemical staining for kappa and lambda chains
Figure 7
Figure 7
Serum IgG immunoglobulin subclass 4 test – negative
Figure 8
Figure 8
Final diagnosis based on histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry study – plasma cell gingivitis
Figure 9
Figure 9
Arrow showing condition of gingiva – 2-year postoperatively
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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