Abstract
Direct immunofluorescence microscopic techniques were used to identify Ig and complement in the oral biopsy specimens of 22 patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). Ten (45%) of 22 patients demonstrated fluorescence along the basement membrane zone, and vascular fluorescence was seen in 7 patients. These findings are in agreement with those of previous immunofluorescence microscopic studies of RAS and suggest the possibility that circulating immune complexes may play a role in the tissue damage seen in this disease.