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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Two-layered Membrane Sandwich Method for Laodelphax striatellus Saliva Collection
Published on: August 27, 2021
[Saliva as a main component of oral cavity ecosystem. Part II. Defense mechanisms]
Anna K Jankowska1, Danuta Waszkiel, Agnieszka Kobus
1Zakładu Stomatologii Dzieciqcej, Akademii Medycznej w Białymstoku.
Abstract:
Human saliva not only lubricates the oral cavity, making possible functions such as swallowing and speaking, but it also helps to maintain integrity of the hard tissues of the teeth. In addition to secretory immunoglobulins saliva contains several less specific antibacterial systems. This innate defense system includes: lysozyme, lactoferrin, peroxidase system, histatins, mucins, and other polypeptides with basic side chains. Some proteins of innate defense system have bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects; some can cause aggregation of oral bacteria resulting in their increased clearance from oral cavity.
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