IMMUNE-MEDIATED PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL ALTERATIONS IN APHTHOUS STOMATITIS IN SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH SECONDARY IMMUNODEFICIENCY

Aphthous stomatitis is a recurrent inflammatory disease of the oral mucosa characterized by the development of painful erosive and ulcerative lesions. In children, recurrent aphthae may cause significant discomfort, interfere with nutrition and speech, and reduce overall quality of life. The pathogenesis of aphthous stomatitis is multifactorial and includes genetic predisposition, local trauma, nutritional deficiency, microbial imbalance, psychological stress, gastrointestinal disorders, and immune dysfunction. Among these factors, secondary immunodeficiency has a particularly important role because it weakens both systemic and local defense mechanisms.