title: Immunoglobulins and innate factors of immunity in saliva of children prone to respiratory infections.
abstract: Serum and salivary total IgA, IgG and IgM as well as salivary innate non-immunoglobulin antimicrobial factors (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary and leukocyte peroxidase systems) were measured in 13 children prone to recurrent respiratory infections and compared to their age-matched healthy controls. Serum IgG and IgM levels were significantly elevated and salivary IgA remarkably low in infection-prone children as compared to the controls. However, the levels of secretory piece-bearing IgA were about the same in both groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in serum IgA levels or in any of the non-immunoglobulin factors. The results indicate that low salivary IgA is associated with recurrent respiratory infections.
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000032:analysis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010544:Peroxidases; D009113:Muramidase; D007781:Lactoferrin