Salivary calprotectin levels are raised in patients with oral candidiasis or Sjogren's syndrome but decreased by HIV infection

Calprotectin levels were determined in whole saliva from patients predispos ed to oral candidiasis due to HIV infection or Sjogren's syndrome and from patients with candidiasis associated with various oral disorders (e.g. lich en planus, oral ulceration). Mean calprotectin levels were higher in whole saliva (2 mug/ml) than in parotid saliva (0.3 mug/ml). Oral candidiasis was associated with raised whole saliva calprotectin levels in all groups stud ied. HIV infection was associated with lower levels of salivary calprotecti n, in the presence of high or low salivary Candida counts, although CD4(+) lymphocyte counts did not significantly correlate with calprotectin concent rations. Calprotectin levels were elevated in saliva from Sjogren's syndrom e patients with oral candidiasis, consistent with mucosal transudation of c alprotectin from inflamed mucosa and limited dilution due to decreased sali vary flow rates. This study indicates that oral candidiasis is associated w ith raised calprotectin levels secondary to mucosal inflammation, but that diminution of this candidacidal, factor due to HIV infection may be a predi sposing factor in the aetiology of oral candidiasis.