title: Levels of Salivary Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in HIV Infected Children.
abstract: Secretory IgA is the main type of immunoglobulin in saliva and is considered to be the main secretion factor of adaptive immunity in the mouth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of Anti Retroviral Therapy on SIgA levels in saliva of HIV infected children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional sample of 50 HIV infected children aged 6-8 years were divided into 2 groups ; Group 1: children prior to onset of anti-retroviral therapy and Group 2: children undergoing anti-retroviral therapy. Stimulated whole saliva samples were collected from each child following I hour of breakfast. The samples were placed on ice packs and immediately transferred to a laboratory, processed and total SIgA quantification was estimated using ELISA. Data obtained was statistically analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among HIV infected children, significantly low SIgA levels of 6.2 mg/dl was seen in children prior to ART.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Salivary IgA levels were significantly low in HIV infected children, particularly in children prior to ART.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry The Oxford Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Hosur Road, Bommanahalli.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Subramaniam
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry The Oxford Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Hosur Road, Bommanahalli.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry The Oxford Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Hosur Road, Bommanahalli.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Girish Babu
mesh_terms: D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides
keywords: ART; HIV; dental caries; salivary IgA