Salivary IgA, lysozyme and beta 2-microglobulin in periodontal disease

The concentrations of IgA, lysozyme and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) were quantitated in wax-stimulated mixed saliva from 28 patients with severe periodontitis and from 28 healthy controls. The mutual correlations between IgA, lysozyme and beta 2-m were determined. In patients with periodontitis decreased lysozyme concentrations were detected when compared with controls (P less than 0.05). The correlation between IgA and beta 2-m concentrations was highly significant in both groups studied (P less than 0.0001, and P less than 0.002), whereas beta 2-m and lysozyme concentrations were positively correlated in patients but not in controls. In addition, a significant correlation between IgA and lysozyme was found only in periodontal patients (P less than 0.001).