F. Dens et al., QUANTITATIVE-DETERMINATION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF SALIVARY-GLAND SECRETION IN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS, Bone marrow transplantation, 17(3), 1996, pp. 421-423
Cancer therapies often induce oral complications. We studied longitudi
nally the major salivary immunoglobulin content in 42 transplant recip
ients using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A dramatic decrease
in both sIgA and IgG is noticed post-transplant compared to pretranspl
ant values. Only a small recovery of these immunoglobulin concentratio
ns is seen after approximately 4 months. The reduction of sIgA and IgG
in saliva could contribute to the frequent oral complications seen in
these patients after transplantation and increase the risk of develop
ing dental caries.