QUANTITATIVE-DETERMINATION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF SALIVARY-GLAND SECRETION IN LONG-TERM, EVENT-FREE PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

Objectives. Chemotherapy influences the human immune system. Salivary alterations occur during cancer treatment. In this article we examine the salivary immunoglobulin content in pediatric patients who were lon g-term event-free and correlate these findings with different oral fac tors. Study design. Fifty-two children of a study group and 63 childre n of a control group were examined at our University Hospital. Caries prevalence and plaque index were scored. Whole saliva samples were tak en for determination of sIgA and IgG concentrations and Streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus counts. For statistical analysis the Dental S urvey Plus (Providence Software Services, Bristol, England) software p ackage was used. Results. Concentrations of sIgA and IgG were within n ormal limits in both groups; sIgA level increased with age. A negative correlation between sIgA concentration and caries experience was not found in all age groups. No correlation with other salivary parameters was found. Conclusion. Salivary content of sIgA and IgG can return to normal after cytotoxic therapy in these children. Salivary IgA seem t o play a role in the development of dental caries in this population.