SALIVARY IGA RESPONSES TO BACTERIA IN DENTAL PLAQUE AS RELATED TO PERIODONTAL AND HIV-INFECTION STATUS

Levels of total IgA and specific IgA reactive with Streptococcus mutan s, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis,? Pr evotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens and Fusobacterium? nucleatu m were measured by ELISA in parotid saliva from HIV+ and HIV- persons with healthy gingiva (HG), chronic gingivitis, chronic marginal period ontitis (CMP), or necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis (NUP). When the HIV+ group was compared with the HIV- group regardless of periodontal status, total salivary IgA concentration was higher in HIV+ patients, but no such difference was observed for total IgA output. HIV+ CMP di splayed higher total IgA concentration as compared with HIV- CMP, No s ignificant differences in specific IgA outputs and ratios were detecte d between HIV+ and HIV- subgroups with similar periodontal status. HIV + NUP displayed increased specific IgA output towards S. mutans and in creased specific IgA ratio values towards S. mutans, P. gingivalis and P. nigrescens as compared with HIV+ CMP. and increased specific IgA r atio values towards S. mutans and P. nigrescens as compared with HIVHG. No such differences were observed between the HIV- subgroups. In s um, salivary IgA responses to bacteria in dental plaque seem not to be related to chronic periodontal disease and HIV infection, but are pos sibly influenced by acute periodontal infection.