Quantification of D-dimer levels in human saliva.
BACKGROUND
Plasma D-dimer tests are currently used to exclude deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Human saliva has numerous advantages over blood as a diagnostic sample. The aims of our study were to develop a reliable immunoassay to detect D-dimer levels in saliva, and to determine the correlation between salivary and blood D-dimer levels. RESULTS/METHODOLOGY: Saliva and blood samples were collected from 40 healthy volunteers. We developed a AlphaLISA® immunoassay with acceptable analytical performances to quantify D-dimer levels in the samples. The median salivary D-dimer levels were 138.1 ng/ml (morning) and 140.7 ng/ml (afternoon), and the plasma levels were 75.0 ng/ml. Salivary D-dimer levels did not correlate with plasma levels (p = 0.61).


CONCLUSIONS
For the first time, we have quantified D-dimer levels and found twofold increase in saliva (p < 0.05) than in plasma. Further studies are required to demonstrate the clinical relevance/utility of salivary D-dimer in patients with confirmed deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism.
The Australian Institute for Bioengineering & Nanotechnology, Australia.
Xi
X
Zhang
Yunxia
Y
Wan
Justin
J
Cooper-White
Goce
G
Dimeski
John
J
Atherton
Chamindie
C
Punyadeera
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products / Q000032:analysis*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
D005338:Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; C036309:fibrin fragment D