Exfoliative Cytology of Oral Mucosa in Kidney Transplant Patients: a Cytomorphometric Study

Abstract

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate quantitative cytologic changes in oral mucosal smears collected from kidney transplant patients by modern stereologic methods. Methods. Smears were obtained from the clinically healthy buccal mucosa and floor of mouth of transplant patients (n = 21) and healthy volunteers (n = 27). Smears from each individual stained by the Papanicolaou method were analyzed using a stereologic method. Nuclear (NV) and cytoplasmic (CV) volumes were evaluated with Stereo Investigator software. Results. CV values were 123,012.71 +/- 15,840.96 fL in the floor of the mouth and 133,667.10 +/- 26,653.39 fL in the buccal mucosa of the kidney transplant patients. CV values were 133,746.93 +/- 14,210.67 fL in the floor of the mouth and 167,797.78 +/- 21,007.70 fL in the buccal mucosa of the control group. NV values were 945.68 +/- 65.85 fL in the floor of the mouth and 845.15 +/- 81.56 fL in the buccal mucosa of the kidney transplant patients and 485.17 +/- 18.03 fL in the floor of the mouth and 410.25 +/- 52.84 mu m(3) in the buccal mucosa of the control group. Significantly higher NV (P = .000) and NV/CV (P = .000) and lower CS (P = .000) values were found in the patient group compared with the control group. Conclusion. The findings suggest that there were alterations in oral epithelial cells, detectable by microscopy and cytomorphometry in kidney transplant patients.