Salivary defence factor concentrations in relation to oral and general parameters in HIV positive patients

The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between saliva protein concentrations, oral mucosal lesions, and systemic parameters in HIV positive patients and controls. Twenty-three control volunteers and 58 HIV-antibody positive patients received a complete oral examination and medical evaluation. In saliva and serum samples, protein concentrations were recorded by a nephelometric method. The systemic parameters assessed were CD4+ cell count, CDC stages and antiretroviral therapy. Oral mucosal lesion prevalence was higher among subjects with lower CD4+ counts. Considering the protein profile, correlations were recorded between saliva and serum protein concentration for IgA, haptoglobin and alpha1-proteinase inhibitor. Using assays of immune and non-immune saliva defence factors, we found that the evolution of cellular immuno-suppression during HIV infection was correlated to oral mucosal disease, showing a relationship between local and general systems.