Analysis of peripheral blood antigens and their clinical value in oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology, which is an oral potentially malignant disorder. Many investigators suggest that OLP may be a localized autoimmune response caused by cell-mediated autoimmunity to basal cells. However, it remains unclear whether allergens play a role in the pathogenesis of OLP. This study describes the expression of total IgE and specific IgE to six common antigens using the Uni-CAP system in healthy controls and OLP patients and investigates the IgG response to 14 food items to explore a possible association between OLP and a non-IgE mediated allergic reaction. Total IgE levels of the OLP patients were higher than seen in healthy controls. Two of 40 controls had IgE to house dust (HX2) compared to 8 of 40 patients with OLP; 2/40 controls had IgE to shrimp (F24) compared to 7/40 patients with OLP. Twenty-nine of 40 OLP patients were positive for IgG to 14 food types which was higher than the 20/40 seen in the control group. The findings indicate that OLP may be associated with hypersensitivity and food intolerance. Avoiding allergen exposure and administering appropriate desensitization treatments might facilitate the recovery of OLP.