Case 3: Aphthous Stomatitis

Question | Discussion | References | CME Credit

You answered:

	Cytomegalovirus infection has been identified as the predominant cause of aphthous stomatitis.

This answer is incorrect. The cause of aphthous stomatitis remains unknown and there is no evidence that cytomegalovirus plays a major role, though cytomegalovirus infection can cause oral ulcers that resemble aphthous stomatitis. Investigators have proposed a number of factors that may contribute to this disorder, including overstimulation of tumor necrosis factor, immune cross-reactivity to infectious agents, nutritional deficiencies, stress, hormonal imbalance, food hypersensitivity, and genetic predisposition.

Choose another answer:

	Thalidomide (Thalomid) is an effective therapy for aphthous stomatitis.
	The diagnosis of aphthous stomatitis is best made by performing a Gram’s stain and observing multiple gram-positive rods lining the surface of mucosal cells.
	Oral valganciclovir (Valcyte) is an effective therapy for aphthous stomatitis, providing an approximate 85% clinical response rate.

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