Oral sarcoidosis: a case report and review of the literature

Sarcoidosis is a chronic multi-system immuno-inflammatory disorder characterized by non-caseating granulomatous infiltration of affected tissues that may result in fibrosis and organ dysfunction. It generally affects genetically predisposed young adults who develop a local dysregulated cell-mediated immune response towards an undefined 'sarcoidal antigen'. From recent data, it has become evident that Propionibacterium acnes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are the probable antigenic agents which initiate sarcoidosis. Oral sarcoidosis is rare with only about 70 cases having been reported in the literature. The purpose of this report is to present a case of oral and cutaneous sarcoidosis in a black female that was probably triggered by mycobacteria.