Changes in Exfoliative Cell of Oral Mucosa in Kidney Transplant Patients

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate quantitative cytologic changes in oral mucosal smears collected from kidney transplant patients by modern stereologic methods.MethodsWe enrolled 32 kidney transplant patients. Smears were obtained from the buccal mucosa transplant patients before and 12 months after kidney transplantation. Smears from each individual were stained using the Papanicolaou method and were analyzed using a stereological method.ResultsStatistically, the nuclear volumes and cytoplasmic volumes in the cells of buccal mucosa were markedly higher after kidney transplantation (P < .05). There was a decreased positive cell density in the oral epithelial cells after kidney transplantation compared with before renal transplantation (P < .05).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that there are alterations in the oral epithelial cells after kidney transplantation, which are detectable by microscopy and cytomorphometry.