Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia: an understudied infectious disease affecting ethnic groups. A mini review.

ABSTRACT: Focal Epithelial Hyperplasia or Multifocal Epithelial Hyperplasia (MEH), also known as Heck's disease, is considered a rare pathology of the oral mucosa associated with human papillomavirus types 13 and 32. For reasons not fully understood, MEH disproportionally affects specific populations of indigenous groups around the world. After the first reports in Native Americans, the epidemiology of the disease has been described in different geographical regions mainly related to particular indigenous populations, the majority of the studies are clinical case reports, but the biological determinants are still unknown. Some suggested risk factors include chronic irritation caused by smoking, a galvanic current, vitamin A deficiency, and/or a familial-genetic predisposition; however, the scientifi

SUBMITTER: Conde-Ferraez L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11306162 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature