AGE-DEPENDENT ANTICHLAMYDIAL ACTIVITY OF HUMAN SALIVA - A STUDY OF INFANTS, CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Saliva samples from 51 children ranging from 1 month to 12 years of ag e were studied for their effect on the capacity of Chlamydia trachomat is, serotypes I and L2 elementary bodies (EB), to form inclusions in c ycloheximide-treated McCoy cell cultures. The results were compared to those of tests using saliva from adults. No antibodies against C trac homatis or Chlamydia pneumoniae could be detected by microimmunofluore scence tests in either group. Saliva of children between 1-4 years of age showed an age-related decrease in the chlamydial inclusion count ( i.c.). Saliva from children older than 4 years of age, like saliva fro m healthy adults, showed a pronounced reduction of the i.c. (up to 70% ). The study indicates that children between 1-4 years gradually devel op a natural antichlamydial activity against C trachomatis, and above that age they exhibit the same level of antichlamydial activity as adu lts. The inhibitory activity was heat-resistant.