[Serum immunoglobulins IgA, IgG and IgM, and oral lichen planus]

Oral lichen planus is a common dermatosis with oral manifestations. It is widely accepted that its unknown pathogenetic mechanism has an immunological background although the exact immune mechanism involved is not clear. In our research we attempted to estimate the participation of humoral immunity in the pathogenesis of the disease, comparing the levels of serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM between a group of 24 patients with oral lichen planus and a group of 19 healthy individuals. Our results revealed no differences for immunoglobulins IgG and IgM (p greater than 0.05) but increased values of IgA were found (p less than 0.05). It is therefore concluded that humoral immunity is involved in lichen planus but it is difficult to explain its exact participation.