Alterations of T helper/inducer and T suppressor/inducer cells in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers.

The peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) were studied during various stages of their disease by two-color immunofluorescence with the use of monoclonal antibodies directed against human T cells (CD3), T helper cells (CD4), T suppressor cells (CD8), T helper/inducer cells (CDw29), and T suppressor/inducer cells (CD45R). All patients with severe RAU showed increased numbers of T helper/inducer cells (CDw29) and decreased numbers of T suppressor/inducer cells (CD45R). One of six patients with RAU showed a decreased T helper/T suppressor ratio (CD4/CD8). These findings suggest that patients with RAU may possess primary immunologic abnormalities.