Rapid assessment of salivary MMP-8 and periodontal disease using lateral flow immunoassay

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a novel point-of-care immunoflow device (POCID) for detecting matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 concentrations in oral fluids in comparison with a gold standard laboratory-based immunoassay.

Oral rinse fluid and whole expectorated saliva samples were collected from 41 participants clinically classified as periodontally healthy or diseased. Samples were analyzed for MMP-8 by Luminex immunoassay and POCID. Photographed POCID results were assessed by optical scan and visually by two examiners. Data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation and receiver-operating characteristics.

MMP-8 was readily detected by the POCID, and concentrations correlated well with Luminex for both saliva and rinse fluids (r = 0.57-0.93). Thresholds that distinguished periodontitis from health were delineated from both the optical scans and visual reads of the POCID (sensitivity: 0.7-0.9, specificity: 0.5-0.7; P < 0.05).

Performance of this POCID for detecting MMP-8 in oral rinse fluid or saliva was excellent. These findings help demonstrate the utility of salivary biomarkers for distinguishing periodontal disease from health using a rapid point-of-care approach.