[Presence of Russel bodies in chronic dental pulp inflammation].

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Russell bodies in chronically inflamed pulp using histological methods.

METHODS

The authors analysed 20 samples: 18 were teeth or pulp from subjects suffering from chronic pulpar diseases and 2 were teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons showing no signs of pulpar disease.

RESULTS

Russell bodies were found in the majority of samples examined, both inside the plasma cells and in pulpar stroma. Russell bodies were not present in samples affected by acute phlogistic processes, with a prevalence of neutrophil granulocytes in the pulp structure, and not in elements free from pulpar disease.

CONCLUSIONS

As already reported in earlier studies of periapical lesions, also in this case the irritative stimulus caused by the bacteria present in chronically inflamed pulp leads to the hyperactivation of plasma cells and the consequent hyperproduction of immunoglobulins.