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Case 3: Aphthous Stomatitis

You answered:

D Oral valganciclovir (Valcyte) is an effective therapy for aphthous stomatitis, providing an approximate 85% clinical response rate.

This answer is incorrect. There is no evidence that oral valganciclovir is effective in treating aphthous stomatitis. Valganciclovir is used to treat cytomegalovirus infections and there is no evidence that cytomegalovirus causes aphthous stomatitis.

A Cytomegalovirus infection has been identified as the predominant cause of aphthous stomatitis.
B Thalidomide (Thalomid) is an effective therapy for aphthous stomatitis.
C 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.

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