Diagnoses

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis

About this diagnosis

Alternate terms: ANUG; Trench mouth; Vincent's disease.

ANUG is a severe (yet reversible) inflammation of the gingiva ("gums"), believed to be caused by an overabundance of normal bacteria coupled with poor hygiene; poor nutrition and/or vitamin deficiency; stress; smoking and possible immune suppression (severe cases). The Gram-negative spirochete, Borrelia vincentii is found in high numbers acting in an apparent synergistic relationship with Fusobacterium species (Gram-negative aneaerobic) bacteria. Patients with the condition are often debilitated.

ANUG is also called "trench mouth" (after the many soldiers in World War I who were observed to have the condition), and "Vincent's Disease, after the physician who first identified the disease. ANUG is now considered rare, but lower-grade variations of the condition probably exist.