QUANTITATIVE-DETERMINATION OF IMMUNOLOGICAL COMPONENTS OF SALIVARY-GLAND SECRETION IN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

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.