Quantitative determination of immunologic components of salivary gland secretion in long-term, event-free pediatric oncology patients.
OBJECTIVE
Chemotherapy influences the human immune system. Salivary alterations occur during cancer treatment. In this article we examine the salivary immunoglobulin content in pediatric patients who were long-term event-free and correlate these findings with different oral factors.


METHODS
Fifty-two children of a study group and 63 children of a control group were examined at our University Hospital. Caries prevalence and plaque index were scored. Whole saliva samples were taken for determination of slgA and IgG concentrations and Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts. For statistical analysis the Dental Survey Plus (Providence Software Services, Bristol, England) software package was used.


RESULTS
Concentrations of slgA and IgG were within normal limits in both groups; slgA level increased with age. A negative correlation between slgA concentration and caries experience was not found in all age groups. No correlation with other salivary parameters was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Salivary content of slgA and IgG can return to normal after cytotoxic therapy in these children. Salivary IgA seem to play a role in the development of dental caries in this population.
Dens
F
F
Department of Dentistry, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.
Boute
P
P
Vinckier
F
F
Declerck
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004245:DMF Index; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology*; D003732:Dental Caries Activity Tests; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009369:Neoplasms; D010512:Periodontal Index; D015995:Prevalence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000187:drug effects*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides