title: Longitudinal analysis of human salivary immunoglobulins, nonimmune antimicrobial agents, and microflora after tonsillectomy.
abstract: In order to study the role of tonsils in the host defense in the oral region one pre- and two postoperative (1 and 6 months) whole saliva samples were collected from 25 young adults referred for tonsillectomy. Saliva samples were analyzed for selected host defense factors, representing both immune (total IgA, IgG, IgM, anti-Streptococcus mutans, anti-EBV, anti-CMV, and anti-adenovirus IgA and IgG) and nonimmunoglobulin (lysozyme, lactoferrin, salivary peroxidases, thiocyanate, hypothiocyanite, and agglutinins) mediators. Following tonsillectomy, a significant (P < 0.04) reduction was observed in specific IgG antibodies, suggesting that tonsils participate in local IgG response to oral antigens. Total IgM levels also decreased (P< 0.006), which may to some extent reflect reduced antigenic stimuli compared to preoperative status with frequent tonsillitis. Saliva-derived nonimmunoglobulin host defense factors, except lactoferrin, which declined significantly, remained normal throughout the study period. Our study indicates that tonsils play a role in local oral IgG-mediated immune response but tonsillectomy does not seem to lead to any significant long-term impairment of salivary defense capacity.
authors.affiliation: Turku Immunology Centre, University of Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kirstilä
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tenovuo
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ruuskanen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suonpää
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Meurman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vilja
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000373:Agglutinins / Q000032:analysis; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012463:Saliva / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000276:immunology; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000032:analysis; D014068:Tonsillectomy
chemical_list: D000373:Agglutinins; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D013861:Thiocyanates; C014607:hypothiocyanite ion; D009195:Peroxidase; D009113:Muramidase