IgG In Saliva, GCF, and Serum in Young Patients With Grade C Molar Incisor Pattern Periodontitis

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate immunoglobulin G levels in saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and serum samples from young patients with grade C molar incisor pattern periodontitis (C/MIP) and age-matched periodontitis-free controls.

Saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and blood samples were collected from 62 patients, divided into 31 cases and 31 periodontitis-free age-matched controls. Saliva and blood samples were centrifuged to extract supernatant and serum. Gingival crevicular fluid periopapers were eluted. Human total immunoglobulin G levels were assessed using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.

After adjusting for covariates, cases had higher Immunoglobulin G levels in saliva (p = 0.005), gingival crevicular fluid (p < 0.001) than controls; however, serum did not reach the significant threshold (p = 0.137). Among other factors contributing to immunoglobulin G levels, males had higher serum immunoglobulin G than females (p = 0.018), and serum immunoglobulin G levels increased with age (p = 0.033). Gender and ethnicity subgroup analyses revealed that C/MIP males had higher saliva IgG (p = 0.018) than control males, and both genders had higher GCF IgG than controls (p ≤ 0.001). C/MIP Caucasians had elevated saliva (p = 0.011) and GCF IgG p = (0.003) compared to the controls, and Asians had higher GCF IgG than the controls (p = 0.011).

This study shows for the first time that C/MIP cases have higher Immunoglobulin G levels than controls in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid, confirming its association with C/MIP pathogenesis and suggesting that it could be a potential biomarker in grade C molar incisor pattern periodontitis. Further research on a larger sample size is needed.