Abnormal EBV immune status in oral lichen planus.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate any possible association between oral lichen planus (OLP) and the humoral immune response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The population consisted of 22 patients with histologically verified OLP and 22 healthy sex- and age-matched controls without any oral mucosal diseases. Specific serum IgG antibodies (Ab) towards EBV early antigen (EA) and nuclear antigen-I (EBNA) and IgM Ab towards EBV EA were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

The optometric density (OD) IgG anti-EA Ab levels were significantly higher in OLP patients than in controls and a significantly negative correlation between duration of symptoms from OLP and IgG anti-EA OD Ab values was demonstrated. IgM anti-EA and IgG anti-EBNA OD Ab levels were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

The hypothesis of any possible association between EBV and OLP has never been tested but the present results seem to lend support for an aberration in the humoral response to EBV in OLP patients.