title: Immunoglobulins in saliva of preterm and full-term infants.
abstract: The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine salivary levels of total IgA, IgG and IgM in 84 preterm and 214 full-term infants, from birth to 18 months of age. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from each infant at birth, and subsequently at 3-monthly intervals. Immunoglobulin levels were estimated using an ELISA technique. At birth, IgA was detected in 147/214 (69%) full-term infants but only 47/84 (56%) preterm infants (P < 0.01). In the case of IgG, 61% of full-term and 56% of preterm infants showed detectable levels, whereas IgM was found in 71% and 73%, respectively. Levels of IgA and IgG rose from birth to 18 months, whereas IgM levels did not change significantly. Increases in salivary levels of IgA were associated with introduction of solid foods (P < 0.001), as well as tooth eruption (P < 0.001). Our results indicate that the majority of full-term and preterm infants are orally immunocompetent at birth.
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, School of Dentistry, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: A K L
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Purdie
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Tudehope
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence / Q000276:immunology; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014078:Tooth Eruption
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins