title: Quantitative electron microscopy microscopical analysis of leukocyte infiltration in oral ulcers of Behçet's syndrome.
abstract: A stereological electron microscopical technique was applied to biopsies of oral ulcers from patients with Behçet's syndrome in order to carry out a quantitative analysis of the cellular infiltrate. The results have confirmed the light microscopical qualitative findings of a large number of lymphocytes (67%) but have established that a relatively large proportion of the leukocytes (14%( belong to the monocyte-macrophage series. The virtual absence of plasma cells during the early stages of ulceration and the presence of a large number of lymphocytes and monocytes argue in favour of a type IV cell-mediated immune reaction. As the lesion progresses a type III reaction develops and this might be associated with immune complexes found in the serum of patients with Behçet's syndrome.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex