Cyclosporine and gingival overgrowth.

A case of cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth is presented. Overgrown and inflamed gingivae were noted at several sites in the mouth of a patient taking cyclosporine following a renal transplant. These were associated with areas adjacent to heavy plaque and calculus deposits on the teeth. Histological examination of the overgrown tissues revealed fibro-epithelial changes characterized by elongated rete pegs, myxomatous degeneration of the connective tissue associated with dense infiltration of plasma cells and lymphocytes. The fibroblasts from normal and overgrown sites were studied in vitro. Fibroblasts from the overgrown tissue proliferated at a slower rate and produced slightly less protein than the cells from normal, healthy gingival sites. These features reflect a site-specific alteration in fibroblast activity and indicate that the lesion is related to local factors exacerbated by cyclosporine therapy.