title: Salivary peroxidase levels in patients with AIDS.
abstract: The main consequences of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS are frequent and persistent opportunistic infections at mucosal surfaces, but data upon impaired oral mucosal response in AIDS patients are still lacking. - The aim of this study was to determine salivary flow rates and peroxidase levels in unstimulated whole saliva in AIDS patients together with comparison to the healthy controls. Salivary peroxidase levels were determined according to Putter and Becker in 20 AIDS patients and 18 HIV-seronegative healthy controls. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t-test. Salivary peroxidase levels were significantly increased in the AIDS group (9.41 +/- 8.50 kU/L; p<0.009) when compared to the healthy controls (3.1 +/- 2.0 kU/L). Salivary flow rates were significantly decreased in AIDS patients (0.17+/-0.11 ml/min, p<0.009) when compared with healthy controls (0.58 +/- 0.19 ml/min). Elevated salivary peroxidase levels indicate increased salivary antimicrobial activity in AIDS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, Croatia. vvboras@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Vanja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vucicevic-Boras
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brozovic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cekic-Arambasin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zadro
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Devcic
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Begovac
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brailo
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012636:Secretory Rate; D019529:Sexuality
chemical_list: D009195:Peroxidase