title: Detection of salivary interleukin-2 in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was undertaken to estimate and compare salivary interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis, among healthy controls and their variation with age and sex.
  
  
  METHODS
  Saliva was collected from 60 patients within the age range of 16-60 years which included 30 patients (17 Females and 13 Males) with recurrent aphthous stomatitis and healthy control group consisted of 30 participants (18 Females and 12 Males). IL-2 estimation was done in both the groups using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis of the data was done using Independent 't' test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed increased salivary IL-2 levels in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis compared to the healthy controls. The IL-2 levels were also increased in patients with the age group of 16-30 years compared to other age groups. Similar increase of IL-2 was also seen in female patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Age related and sex related alterations of IL-2 in recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients were observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Rathnavel Subramaniam Educational Trust RVS Dental College and Hospital, Kannampalayam, Sulur, Coimbatore, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kalpana
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thubashini
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: B Sivapatha
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Sundharam
keywords: Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; interleukin-2; recurrent aphthous stomatitis