title: Salivary immunoglobulins in healthy white and black adults compared with oesophageal cancer patients.
abstract: Saliva is a readily accessible mucosal secretion and salivary antibodies reflect the repertoire of gut-associated antigens; it therefore appears to be ideal for the study of gastro-intestinal disease. A study of salivary immunoglobulins in healthy white and black adults and patients with oesophageal cancer showed that salivary immunoglobulin A levels were higher (but not significantly) in whites than blacks. The levels, however, were similar in healthy blacks and oesophageal cancer patients. There is a wide variation in normal levels of salivary immunoglobulins. Also, immunoglobulins are readily influenced by physiological factors and so at present are unreliable indices of gastro-intestinal disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D013019:South Africa; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins