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Published on: May 16, 2012
Alteration in salivary function in early HIV infection.
A L Lin1, D A Johnson, K T Stephan
1Departments of Dental Diagnostic Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78229-4404, USA.
Journal of Dental Research
|August 27, 2003
Summary
Early HIV infection impairs salivary gland function, reducing saliva flow rates. This dysfunction occurs independently of xerostomic medications, impacting oral health in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals.
Area of Science:
- Oral Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Salivary gland hypofunction is a concern in HIV(+) patients, but its early-stage etiology remains unclear.
- Understanding the impact of early HIV infection on salivary function is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of early-stage HIV(+) infection on salivary gland function.
- To determine the relationship between salivary dysfunction and xerostomic medication use in HIV(+) individuals.
Main Methods:
- Assessed salivary flow rates (unstimulated and stimulated) from parotid and submandibular/sublingual glands.
- Measured electrolyte and antimicrobial protein content in saliva.
- Compared data between HIV(+) patients (n=139, CD4(+) > 200 cells/µL) and healthy controls (n=50).
Main Results:
- HIV(+) patients exhibited significant reductions in all measured salivary flow rates compared to controls.
- Salivary flow rates were not significantly different between HIV(+) patients taking xerostomic medications and those not taking them.
- Alterations in salivary gland component concentrations were observed in the HIV(+) group.
Conclusions:
- Salivary gland function is adversely affected early in the course of HIV infection.
- Xerostomic medications do not appear to exacerbate salivary gland dysfunction in early HIV infection.
- Findings highlight the need for monitoring salivary health in HIV(+) patients from the early stages of infection.
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