Report a possible correlation between necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and mononucleosis

Abstract

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis is a relatively uncommon periodontal disease, characterized by ulceration, necrosis, pain and gingival bleeding. Factors often related to its occurrence include stress and systemic viral infections, such as those caused by cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus type 1, the latter being also considered the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis. This article aims to describe a clinical case of a female patient who presented with necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis associated with a clinical picture of infectious mononucleosis, as well as to review the literature concerning a possible correlation between these pathologies. This patient presented to our health care facility with necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis accompanied by lymphadenopathy, fever and prostration, after laboratory tests, Epstein-Barr virus type 1 infection was confirmed, as well as the co-occurrence of pathologies: necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis and infectious mononucleosis. Symptom remission in both disorders also occurred concomitantly, after instruction in plaque control measures and palliative medication for control of systemic symptoms. Therefore, although there is no scientific validation of an association between these two pathologies, it is imperative that all diagnostic alternatives be considered and investigated, in order to establish the therapeutic approach most appropriate to the patient.

Keywords

• gingivitis ulcerativa necrótica
• mononucleosis infecciosa
• patología clínica