Salivary IgA, Dental Caries and Plaque Status in HAART-Naïve and HAART-Treated Children Living With HIV

Understanding the relationship between salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA), oral health status, and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is essential for improving the quality of life of children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV), as both HIV infection and its long-term treatment can influence oral immunity and disease susceptibility.

To assess and compare SIgA levels, dental caries, and dental plaque scores among HAART-naïve and HAART-experienced CALHIV.

This cross-sectional study included 150 HIV-infected children aged 6-18 years, divided into two groups. Group 1 comprised HAART-naïve children, while Group 2 included children receiving HAART for more than three years. Dental caries was recorded using WHO diagnostic criteria, dental plaque was assessed using the Quigley-Hein index, and. Stimulated whole saliva was collected to estimate salivary secretory immunoglobulin A SIgA levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient.

HAART-naïve children exhibited significantly higher plaque scores (p < 0.001), whereas children on HAART showed significantly higher dmft and DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) scores (p < 0.01). Mean SIgA levels were higher in the HAART group, though the difference was not statistically significant. A significant weak negative correlation was observed between SIgA and dmft in HAART-naïve children, while plaque and SIgA showed a significant negative correlation in children receiving HAART.

HAART-naïve children exhibited poorer oral hygiene, whereas children on HAART had a higher caries burden. The observed association between SIgA and dental caries The observed associations between SIgA, dental plaque, and caries suggest that antiretroviral therapy and age-related factors may influence oral health and salivary immune response in HIV-infected children emphasizing the need for early preventive oral health interventions integrated into The observed associations between SIgA, dental plaque, and caries suggest that antiretroviral therapy and age-related factors may influence oral health and salivary immune response in HIV-infected children, underscoring the need for early preventive oral health interventions integrated into the oral health of CALHIV.