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Lactoferrin, a marker for periodontal disease
Alan G Lourenço1, Cristiano Nakao, Alcyone A Machado
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
Current HIV Research
|February 26, 2013
Summary
Salivary lactoferrin (Lf) concentrations are higher in individuals with periodontal disease, regardless of HIV status. This suggests Lf may serve as a potential biomarker for periodontal conditions in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Oral immunology
- Microbiology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can compromise oral health.
- Periodontal disease is a common oral infection.
- Lactoferrin (Lf) is an antimicrobial peptide found in saliva.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate salivary lactoferrin (Lf) concentrations in HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative individuals.
- To correlate Lf levels with periodontal disease, Candida spp. load, and HIV systemic condition.
- To explore Lf as a potential biomarker for periodontal disease.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples collected from 109 participants, categorized by HIV status and periodontal health.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used for salivary Lf quantification.
- Candida spp. quantification performed on all samples.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher salivary Lf concentrations were observed in participants with periodontal disease, irrespective of HIV status (p<0.0001).
- No correlation found between salivary Lf levels and Candida spp. load.
- No correlation found between salivary Lf levels and HIV disease markers (viral load, CD-4+ count, antiretroviral therapy).
Conclusions:
- Periodontal disease may increase Lf expression in oral mucosa, indicating an early inflammatory response.
- Lf acts as an antibacterial peptide in both HIV-negative and HIV-positive patients.
- Salivary Lf is a potential marker for periodontal disease in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.
