Stephen Porter

Hematologic status in recurrent aphthous stomatitis compared with other oral disease

The hematologic status of 144 consecutive patients in the United Kingdom with oral disease (69 with recurrent aphthous stomatitis; 75 with other disorders) was examined in an attempt to resolve the controversy as to whether levels of hemoglobin, blood cell numbers and indices, and blood film are adequate in the screening of patients with aphthae. Though hemoglobin levels and red blood cell indices were normal in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, there was still a small minority of patients with deficiencies of iron (low serum ferritin), folate (low red blood cell levels), or vitamin B12 (low serum levels) that would have remained undetected. Full hematologic screening of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis thus reveals latent deficiency states, at least in some parts of the world, and there are good reasons for elucidating the underlying cause and correcting these deficiencies, particularly vitamin B12 deficiency. Therapeutic studies are now required to establish the frequency with which deficiencies actually predispose to recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Audit of diagnosis and investigations in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

The responses of clinicians to results of hematologic and serologic investigation of 79 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis have been reviewed. Twenty percent of patients with abnormal results were not adequately managed by attending clinicians.

Class I and II HLA antigens in British patients with oral lichen planus

The frequencies of human leukocyte antigens--HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ1--were determined in a group of 40 white British patients with oral lichen planus and compared with those of healthy controls. Alterations in the frequencies of several HLA antigens were noted. In particular, an increase in HLA-Bw57 and a decrease in the frequency of HLA-DQ1 were seen in the group with lichen planus. When different clinical subgroups of lichen planus were compared with the control group, significant changes were also noted in the frequencies of HLA antigens. This suggests that lichen planus may represent a heterogeneity of diseases and that HLA-Bw57 may predispose a person to lichen planus whereas HLA-DQ1 may be associated with resistance to it.

Viruses and chronic disorders involving the human oral mucosa

Viruses have been implicated in the etiology of several chronic disorders of the oral mucosa. Most of these associations have been with DNA viruses, particularly certain herpesviruses, which are associated, for example, with some cases of erythema multiforme and with hairy leukoplakia. Papillomaviruses are associated with various papillomatous lesions, focal epithelial hyperplasia, and possibly with some carcinomas. Viruses may possibly be associated with recurrent aphthae, Behçets syndrome, and some dermatoses. The literature concerning these possible associations is reviewed. However, much more research needs to be done before the full story of viral associations with oral mucosal disorders can be written.

Oral features of a family with benign familial neutropenia

The oral features of three members of a family with familial benign neutropenia (a mother and two children) are detailed. Prepubertal periodontitis, oral ulceration, and angular stomatitis were the principal features.