Immunoglobulin estimation of blood and saliva in human recurrent oral ulceration

Abstract

Immunoglobulin estimations by an immunochemical method were performed in serum and saliva of 120 subjects; 70 patients with recurrent oral ulceration, 20 with lichen planus and 30 normal controls. Raised levels of serum IgA and IgG were found in patients with recurrent oral ulcers, as compared with normal controls, but the 5 per cent level of significance was reached only in patients, with major aphthous ulcers. In lichen planus, however, serum IgG concentration was significantly depressed, although IgA was slightly raised. Salivary IgA concentration showed little variation between the controls and patients and depressed IgA clearance was found only in herpetiform ulceration. Although IgG was not detectable by this method in parotid saliva, it was found in almost all samples of whole saliva. Serum IgM was normal in all groups of patients and IgM was not detected in any of the samples of saliva. Recurrent oral ulceration is not associated with immunoglobulin deficiency in serum or saliva. The raised serum IgG and IgA levels are consistent with those found in some autoimmune disorders. Immunoglobulin transport into saliva is discussed.