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Salivary immunoglobulins, lysozyme, pH, and microbial counts in children receiving anti-neoplastic therapy
U Pajari1, K Poikonen, M Larmas
1Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Finland.
Insights
Children with cancer show altered saliva composition, including reduced pH and increased lysozyme. These salivary changes may increase their susceptibility to dental diseases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Oral Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Children with cancer often experience oral health complications.
- Salivary parameters are crucial indicators of oral health.
- Understanding salivary changes in pediatric cancer patients is vital for preventive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate salivary immunoglobulins, lysozyme, pH, and microbial counts in children with cancer.
- To compare salivary parameters between children with active cancer, cured cancer, and healthy controls.
- To assess the potential link between salivary changes and increased dental disease risk in pediatric cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Collected unstimulated whole saliva (5-10 ml) from 55 children with cancer (18 active, 37 cured) and 103 healthy children.
- Measured salivary pH, immunoglobulin levels, and lysozyme concentrations.
- Utilized chairside dip-slide cultivations for assessing microbiologic counts (Lactobacillus, Streptococcus mutans).
Main Results:
- Children cured of cancer exhibited reduced salivary pH and elevated lysozyme levels.
- Active cancer or its treatment led to decreased pH and increased lysozyme, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus mutans, and certain immunoglobulins.
- Significant differences in salivary parameters were observed between cancer patients and healthy controls.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric cancer and its treatment significantly alter salivary composition.
- The observed changes in salivary pH, lysozyme, and microbial flora suggest an increased risk of dental diseases in children with cancer.
- These findings highlight the need for enhanced dental monitoring and preventive strategies in this population.
Abstract:
Salivary immunoglobulins, lysozyme, pH, and microbial counts were determined in 55 children with cancer diseases (37 cured subjects and 18 acute ones) and 103 healthy subjects. 5-10 ml unstimulated whole saliva was collected and pH, immunoglobulins and lysozyme were measured. Chairside dip-slide cultivations were used for microbiologic cultures. Reduced salivary pH and an increased amount of lysozyme were found in the saliva of those children who had been cured of their cancer diseases, but ongoing cancer disease or the treatment provided for it reduced pH and increased the amounts of lysozyme, lactobacillus, Streptococcus mutans and some immunoglobulins. These findings suggest that children with childhood cancer may be more susceptible to dental diseases than healthy ones.