Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis is the most common ulcerative diseases of oral mucosa affecting an estimate of 20% of the world’s population. It is a disease characterized by episodic appearance of oral ulcers in which etiology and pathophysiology remains obscure.
Given the common and recurrent nature of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis, an association with viral infection has long been postulated. In particular, the human herpes viruses. Also, the pathogenesis of Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis involves cell-mediated responses, involving T cells. An aphthous ulcer develops when lymphocytic cells infiltrate into the epithelium and cause an edema due to transient inflammatory stimuli.
