A total of 214 Candida strains were isolated from the human oral cavity of normal subjects and patients with oral candidosis in Japan, China, Italy and Peru, and their morphological and biological characteristics were examined. All of the isolates were identified as Candida albicans by production of germ tubes and chlamydospores. To determine regional differences in biotypes, the isolates were subjected to biotyping by a killer yeast method. The 214 strains were grouped to 31 biotypes by their susceptibilities to the 24 killer yeasts. There were no clear regional differences in the biotypes. However, C. albicans strains isolated from patients showed diverse biotype distribution, as compared with isolates from normal subjects, suggesting changes in biotypes by treatment of oral candidosis. There were also no differences in production of extracellular proteinase and phospholipase, which are the most likely virulence factors, among strains isolated in different regions and subjects. The pathogenicity of a strong proteinase- and phospholipase-producing strain and a weak proteinase- and phospholipase-producing strain was compared in mice. The results obtained suggested the pathogenicity of the strains was related with the production of these enzymes.

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We examined the difference of the moisture in the region of the normal oral mucosa. The subjects were 30 healthy volunteers consisting of 11 males and 19 females ranging from 21 to 49 years of age, with an average age of 30.7 years. Using a moisture meter (MY01MS, SCALAR^®), we measured tongue dorsum, buccal mucosa, palate, and gingiva. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests. Mean value of the moisture in tongue dorsum was 23.2, buccal mucosa 22.8, palate 8.0 and gingiva 4.7. Tongue dorsum and buccal mucosa showed similar moisture values, but there were significant differences in the other regions. There was a great difference depending upon the region. These results suggest that the degree of keratinization of epithelium or thickness, and the differences of histological structure influence the degree of moisture of oral mucosa.

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In order to evaluate the diagnostic ability of MR-sialography in diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome (SS), the results of examination by MR-sialography were compared with those by various other examinations used in diagnosing SS in 120 cases. The examination results by MR-sialography showed a high correlation with those of conventional X-ray sialography (ρ=0.916 (p<0.0001)). In addition, the result of MR-sialography also showed a statistically significant correlation with histopathology of minor salivary gland biopsy, salivary scintigraphy, sialometry, Schirmer's test of ocular examination, anti-Ro/SS-A antibody and anti-La/SS-B antibody of serological examination. As MR-sialography well reflects the condition of SS, it was considered a useful examination method in diagnosing and staging for SS. The present results of MR-sialography showed 80.6% in sensitivity, 100% in specificity, and 88.3% in accuracy for diagnosing SS. MR-sialography thus has some advantages over conventional X-ray sialography.

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The patient was a 12-year-old male who complained of white patches in the oral mucosa. He showed a moon-face and difficulty in walking due to muscle hypofunction. Blood examination showed an elevated value of serum cortisol, suggesting Cushing's syndrome. Oral examination revealed poor oral hygiene condition, with white plaque in the buccal mucosa and tongue. Clinical diagnosis was oral candidiasis and Candida albicans was isolated from his oral mucosa by the cotton swab method. After instruction of oral hygiene techniques, gargle with Amphotericin B (Fungizone^®) and medication of Trilostane (Desopan^®), serum cortisol value decreased and candidiasis completely disappeared.

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Paraquat is an agricultural chemical used as a herbicicide. If drunk by mistake, the stomatitis always appears. We report 9 cases of stomatitis caused by paraquat. Of the patients, 2 were male and 7 were female. The patients ranged in age from 22 to 65 years, with an average age of 47.8 years. Symptoms of oral mucosa were erosion or ulcer covered with a pseudomembrane of albidus. The margin of the lesion mucosa was distinct. In 2 cases who spat out this chemical immediately, erosion or ulcer were recognized in limited areas.
In 7 cases who vomited the chemical after ingestion, the stomatitis was observed over a wide area. The ulcer was epithelialized in 1 to 3 weeks, and there was no scar tissue formation. Two cases died of respiratory insufficiency by pulmonary fibrosis.

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Verruciform xanthoma is an uncommon lesion that is characterized by the proliferation of foamy or xanthoma cells in the submucosal stroma, and is generally considered to be a reactive change, not to a true neoplasm. We reporrt two cases of verruciform xanthoma arising in the mandibular gingiva with a review of the literature. The patients were a 28-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman. They were referred for consultation regarding a mass in the mandibular gingiva, respectively. Both the lesions were delineated margin, asymptomatic, granular in appearance, and not inflammatory. Incisional biopsies were taken under the clinical diasnosis of a papilloma. Histopathologically, in both speciment, the aggregation of foamy or xanthoma cells was observed in the submucosal stroma between the elongated epithelial rete ridges. A definitive diagnosis of verruciform xanthoma was obtained.

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