L form of bacteria isolated from recurrent aphthous stomatitis lesions

Pure cultures of a transitional L form isolated from numerous lesions in three aphthous stomatitis patients examined suggest that a relationship exists between the L form of bacteria and the pathogenesis of this disease and that some cases of recurrent aphthous stomatitis may be infectious in nature. The “L form theory” presented proposes that the stable L form variant of pathogenic bacteria is the dormant-carrier agent in recurrent aphthous ulcerations.