Estimation of major immunoglobulin levels in patients with oral submucous fibrosis

Abstract

Introduction: Oral submucous fibrosis is a widely prevalent disabling disease prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. The role of altered immune response is stated as a factor in its etiopathogenesis. The present case-control study aims at detecting changes in major immunoglobulin levels in oral submucous fibrosis patients. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 30 patients with oral submucous fibrosis and the control group included 25 age- and sex-matched subjects. The estimation of serum immunoglobulin level was done by single radial immunodiffusion technique. Results: The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were significantly increased in oral submucous fibrosis patients, while no change in the levels of immunoglobulin A (Ig A) was observed. Conclusion: The serum levels of IgG and IgM were increased in oral submucous fibrosis cases, indicating altered immune response.