Asian Journal of Scientific Research

Volume 15 (1), 22-30, 2022


Facebook Twitter Linkedin WhatsApp E-mail
Evaluation of Exfoliated Buccal Mucosal Cells from Snuff Dealers: A Quantitative Cytomorphometric Analysis

Nkiruka C. Azubuike and Uchenna B. Mama

Background and Objective: Smokeless tobacco (snuff) use has been associated with many oral disease processes but there is a paucity of scientific information on its effects on dealers who process and package the substance for sales. The present study, therefore, investigated cytomorphometric changes in the exfoliated epithelial cells from the oral mucosa of snuff dealers. Materials and Methods: Study groups comprised 40 individuals (20 snuff dealers and 20 controls). Oral cytology smears were obtained using a wooden spatula and smeared on a microscope slide. Smears were fixed in 95% alcohol and stained with Giemsa stain for microscopical examination. Twenty cells were assessed for each of the participants and the cytoplasmic diameter (CD) and nuclear diameter (ND) were measured using AmScope Software. The ratios of nuclear diameter to cytoplasmic diameter (N/CR) were thereafter determined. The effect of age, sex, length of working experience (years of occupational exposure), snuff use, cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking habit on the parameters were also determined. Results: No significant difference was observed in CD, ND and N/CR of snuff dealers when compared to control (p>0.05). However, variations were only observed based on length of working experience and alcohol drinking habit (p<0.05). Conclusion: Data obtained from the present study has revealed variations in cytomorphometric parameters of exfoliated buccal cells of snuff dealers which is associated with years of occupational exposure and alcohol drinking habits.

View Fulltext Back

How to cite this article:

Nkiruka C. Azubuike and Uchenna B. Mama, 2022. Evaluation of Exfoliated Buccal Mucosal Cells from Snuff Dealers: A Quantitative Cytomorphometric Analysis. Asian Journal of Scientific Research, 15: 22-30.


DOI: 10.3923/ajsr.2022.22.30
URL: https://ansinet.com/abstract.php?doi=ajsr.2022.22.30

Article Statistics