Noopur Gajjar

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study is to find out the role of immunoglobulin IgA and IgM as indicators of humoral immune response in the etiopathogenesis and for the differentiation between oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid reaction (OLR). Materials and Methods: The study comprises of 50 patients. From them 20 patients were of OLP, 20 patients of OLR and 10 patients as controls. After histopathological confirmation, approximately 5 ml of venous blood was collected by venepuncture from OLP patients, OLR patients and from control patients. The serum IgA and IgM were measured by immunoturbidimetry method using automated chemistry analyzer and data were analysed using t-test. Results: The mean serum level of IgA and IgM was 2.14±1.19g/L and 0.88±0.47g/L respectively in reticular OLP, 2.21±0.98g/L and 0.78±0.49g/L respectively in erosive OLP, 1.64±0.60g/L and 0.99±0.34g/L respectively in OLR, 2.62±0.40g/L and 1.51±0.47g/L respectively in control patients. The results showed statistically significant IgM level for reticular and Erosive OLP (p value=0.007 and 0.042 respectively). Conclusion: Patients with OLP shows systemic immunologic alterations suggest that humoral immune system may play a part in pathogenesis of OLP and also OLP and OLR lesions can be differentiate on the basis of serum level of IgM. Keywords: Humoral immunity, IgA, IgM, Oral lichen planus, Oral lichenoid reactions.

View Article