Analysis of peripheral blood leukocytes in patients with cyclosporine A-induced gingival hyperplasia

Abstract

Background: Gingival overgrowth is one of the major adverse effects of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA). Although several studies have attempted to determine the immunological mechanisms of gingival hyperplasia (GO) due to CsA therapy, the pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study the distribution of the peripheral blood leukocytes in a group of renal transplant patients undergoing CsA therapy was analyzed and possible correlations of periodontal and pharmacological variables to lymphocyte subpopulations, natural killer cells, and monocytes investigated.