Immunohistochemical analysis of Langerhans cells in chronic gingivitis using anti-CD1a antibody.

Background: The Langerhans cells (LCs) are dendritic cells (DCs) which belong to the group of antigen presenting cells (APCs). Their function is to recognize the antigen, capture it, and present it to the T lymphocytes; thus initiating an early immune response. The antigen presenting functional LCs may play an important part in initiation and development of gingivitis.

Osteopetrosis-associated osteomyelitis of the jaws: a report of 4 cases.

Osteopetrosis represents a heterogeneous group of rare, hereditary bone disorders with variable clinical features and an increase in bone density. The common clinical findings that usually lead to the detection of the disease are fractures and osteomyelitis of the mandible. We report 4 cases of osteopetrosis, complicated by osteomyelitis of the jaws.