IMMUNOGLOBULIN-A (IGA), IGA1, AND IGA2 ANTIBODIES TO CANDIDA-ALBICANSIN WHOLE AND PAROTID-SALIVA IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTIONAND AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are predispose d to recurrent oral candidiasis, and, although it has been assumed tha t this is because of deficient mucosal immune responses, this has not been properly established. The present study aimed to compare the conc entrations and secretion rates of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgA subcl ass antibodies to Candida albicans in whole and parotid saliva samples from HIV-infected patients, AIDS patients, and control subjects. Leve ls of IgA antibody to Candida species in whole saliva were higher in t he HIV group than in the controls and were highest in the AIDS group ( P < 0.05). In parotid saliva, the mean antibody levels were significan tly greater in HIV-positive patients than in controls (P < 0.05) but f ell to lower levels in the AIDS group. The secretion rates of Candida antibodies in parotid saliva were reduced in AIDS patients compared wi th HIV patients. The specific activities of the IgA antibodies and bot h subclasses were significantly higher in the HIV and AIDS patients th an in the controls in both whole and parotid saliva (P < 0.05). Antibo dy levels were significantly correlated with the numbers of Candida or ganisms isolated from saliva (P < 0.05). These results suggest clear d ifferences in salivary antibody profiles among HIV-infected, AIDS, and control subjects and are indicative of a response to antigenic challe nge by infecting Candida species. No obvious defect in the mucosal imm une response in the HIV or AIDS groups that might account for the incr eased prevalence of candidiasis was apparent.