Desquamative gingivitis: immunologic findings.

A case of desquamative gingivitis is presented that was a gingival manifestation of cicatricial pemphigoid. Immunologic studies of serum and biopsies were of diagnostic significance. The application of immunofluorescence for the diagnosis of desquamative gingival lesions was discussed. If a definite diagnosis can not be made on the basis of light microscopy, immunofluorescence studies should be performed.