Stomatitis laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sara Mehrsefat, M.D. [2], Usama Talib, BSc, MD [3]

History and physical examination are the mainstay of diagnosing stomatitis. Laboratory findings can play an important role in diagnosing and differentiating the particular type of stomatitis.

History and physical examination are the mainstay of diagnosing stomatitis. If required, laboratory findings can play an important role in diagnosing and differentiating the particular type of stomatitis.

• Viral culture
• Tzanck smear for active lesions
  • It cannot differentiate between the various types of viruses that can cause stomatitis (i.e., HSV-1, HSV-2, or VZV)
• Serology
• Studies using immunofluorescent techniques
• PCR

The diagnosis of Noma or gangrenous stomatitis is made by:^[1]

• Culture for organisms
• Biopsy showing deep tissue involvement

• Immunofluorescence testing^[2]
• Biopsy (showing hyperplasia of the stratified squamous epithelium)^[3]
• Eosinophils, neutrophils, plasma cells and lymphocytes in the connective tissue^[4]
• Spongiotic changes^[4]

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