Eosinophilic bodies in the epithelium of oral inflammatory hyperplastic lesions. Histopathologic and histochemical study.

Four hundred twenty-three specimens of inflammatory hyperplastic lesions of the oral cavity were examined for changes in the epithelium. Amorphic eosinophilic material was found in the superficial layers of the epithelium in 12 per cent of the cases. The incidence and severity of the changes were related to the intensity of the inflammatory reaction in the underlying tissue. Histochemically, the material contained protein, disulfide and sulfhydryl groups, tryptophan, and carbohydrate.