Cytomegalovirus presence and salivary composition in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Parotid and whole saliva was collected from nine patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and nine controls. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) was cultured from both salivary samples in six of the AIDS patients but was not present in any of the controls. In the AIDS samples parotid sodium (p less than 0.05), IgG (p less than 0.01), and albumin (p less than 0.05) were higher than in control samples. Parotid potassium (p less than 0.05) and total protein (p less than 0.05) were lower than control values, whereas flow rate, lactoferrin, lysozyme, IgA, and IgM levels were similar in both sets of samples. AIDS does not appear to affect secretory IgA levels. Sodium (p less than 0.01) and IgA (p less than 0.05) were higher in the whole saliva of AIDS patients. Serum IgG, IgM (p less than 0.01), and IgA (p less than 0.05) were also elevated when compared with the controls. The prevalence of CMV in parotid and whole saliva of AIDS patients is consistent with the known susceptibility of this group to adventitious infection and the predilection of this virus for the salivary glands. The changes in salivary composition suggest a low level of inflammation, which occurs independently of the virus.