title: Saliva and inhibition of HIV-1 infection: molecular mechanisms.
abstract: Oral fluids are rarely a vehicle for HIV-1 infection in vivo, unlike other mucosal secretions. This unique property raises questions regarding (1) the molecular mechanisms responsible for the lack of salivary transmission, (2) the extent to which oral immunological responses mirror responses at other mucosal sites, (3) the use of promising salivary markers of HIV-1 disease progression, (4) the relationship between oral and blood viral loads, (5) cofactors that influence oro-genital transmission, and (6) the feasibility of oral-based antibody testing for HIV-1 diagnosis in the home. This paper discusses these questions and provides background summaries, findings from new studies, consensus opinions, practical relevance to developing countries, and suggestions for future research agenda on each of the key topics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill 27599-7450, USA. diane_shugars@dentistry.unc.edu
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Shugars
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Malamud
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kazmi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Page-Shafer
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Challacombe
mesh_terms: D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003906:Developing Countries; D018450:Disease Progression; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000276:immunology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019562:Viral Load; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides