Phenotypic identification of T lymphocytes subset in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is characterized by recurring ulcers in the oral mucosa as abnormality of the immune response, autoimmune or abnormal immunological reaction to antigens of oral bacteria. This study was conducted on 25 patients 15 suffering RAS of the minor form and 10 of the major form and 15 student as control. The T lymphocytes were determined by the monoclonal antibodies (OKT) using the indirect immunofluorescent technique of Hoffman percentage of cells having surface fluorescence was calculated and the monoclonal antibody coated cells visualized and enumerated. It was concluded from this study that the two clinical entities of RAS may be of the same immunopathologic etiology but the difference lies in the T cell subpopulation and the ratio of T helper to T suppressor T4/T8.