Salivary histatins in patients with recurrent oral candidiasis

The level of salivary histatins was evaluated in 20 patients with a history of recurrent oral candidiasis and in age-, sex-matched healthy controls. Salivary pH, flow rate, total protein and histatins were compared. Results of this study indicated that salivary pH was significantly lower among patients than controls (5.9 vs. 6.3, respectively, P = 0.002). No significant difference was observed in the mean flow rate and total protein between patients and controls (0.39 ml/min/gland vs. 0.46 ml/min/gland and 112.4 mg% vs. 113.0 mg%, respectively). However, the mean salivary histatin levels were significantly higher among patients than controls, both in terms of concentration (16.8 mg% vs. 11.1 mg%, P = 0.016) as well as a ratio of total protein (15 mg/g vs. 10 mg/g, P = 0.018). These findings indicate that oral candidiasis is associated with increased levels of salivary histatin. Such a finding suggests that oral candidiasis may modulate the levels of salivary histatin.