title: Neutrophil Count and Level of Interleukin-1β and Interleukin-8 in the Saliva of Three to Five Year Olds with and without Dental Caries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Saliva plays an important role in prevention of dental caries. Neutrophils are the first defense mechanism of the immune system. Interleukins (ILs) can regulate the activity of neutrophils. This study aimed to assess the neutrophil count and level of IL-lβ and IL-8 in the saliva of children with and without dental caries.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case-control study was performed on 90 preschool children between three to five years. Children were divided into three groups of caries-free, early childhood caries (ECC) and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). Saliva was collected in tubes by the spitting method. Neutrophil count was assessed by Giemsa staining and the levels of IL-lβ and IL-8 in the saliva were assessed using ELISA. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Games-Howell test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean levels of IL-1β and IL-8 and the mean neutrophil count in the caries free group were found to be 59.2± 59.15 pg/mL, 86.04± 96.12 pg/mL and 1342.66± 2222.412 pg/mL, respectively. These values were 36.78± 40.88 pg/mL, 76.12± 107.01 pg/mL and 2500± 3834.61 pg/mL in the ECC group and 48.75±47 pg/mL, 76.77± 70.63 pg/mL and 2353.1± 4583.81 pg/mL in the S-ECC group, respectively. There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of the levels of IL-1β, IL-8 or the neutrophil count (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since no significant difference was noted in the salivary levels of IL-1β and IL-8 or the neutrophil count among the groups, development of dental caries may be related to neutrophil chemotaxis defect.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Dental Materials Research Center, Dental Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seyedmajidi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Dental Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Effat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khodadadi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, Medical Faculty, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghorban
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maliji
authors.affiliation: Student, Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammadali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaghian
authors.affiliation: Member of Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bijani
keywords: Children; Dental caries; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-8; Saliva; neutrophil