Oral mucosal antigen reactivity during exacerbation and remission phases of recurrent aphthous ulceration

Pooled serum from subjects with active recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) and from control subjects was tested against indigenous surface mucosal material from subjects with active RAU, remission RAU subjects, and normal subjects. IgM antibody reactivity in both sera was significantly higher to material from remission RAU subject mucosa than to material from control subjects or subjects with active RAU. IgG antibody activity in both sera was significantly lower to material from active RAU subject mucosa than to material from control subjects or subjects whose RAU was in remission. These results suggest that the character and amount of antigen on mucosa may differ during the pathogenesis of RAU.