Clinicopathologic features, microvessel density, and immunohistochemical expression of ICAM-1 and VEGF in 15 cases of secondary syphilis with oral manifestations

Abstract

Several studies have reported the clinical aspects of oral syphilis, but few papers have considered the involved immunoinflammatory mechanisms. To analyze the clinicopathologic features and expression of immunoinflammatory and vascular proteins in oral secondary syphilis. Fifteen patients with oral secondary syphilis were included; histologic features were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin-stained histologic slides and immunohistochemical reactions were performed against intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD34. Lesions presented as multiple plaques and ulcers mostly located on the tongue, lips, and palate. They were covered by a stratified epithelium of irregular thickness showing exocytosis associated with a subjacent plasma cell infiltrate arranged in perivascular and perineural patterns. ICAM-1 and VEGF were expressed on endothelial cells and leukocytes, and microvessel density was similar on the superficial and deep regions of the connective tissue. Expression of immunoinflammatory and vascular proteins was intense, suggesting their participation on the pathogenesis of oral secondary syphilis.