Salivary anticandidal activity and saliva composition in an HIV-infected cohort

This study investigated salivary anticandidal activity and salivary composi tion in stimulated whole saliva of 18 advanced HIV-infected patients and co mpared these values to healthy controls. Stimulated whole saliva from HIV-i nfected patients showed decreased anticandidal activity. The flow rate was reduced by 40% as compared with controls. The saliva flow rate for HIV-infe cted patients who had recoverable yeast in their saliva was reduced as comp ared to HIV-infected patients without recoverable yeast. For HIV-infected p atients, the saliva concentrations of lactoferrin, secretory IgA and Cl- we re increased while the secretion rate of lysozyme, total protein and K+ wer e reduced. There was no difference in any parameter as a function of taking the antifungal drug fluconazole. There was no association between salivary anticandidal activity and any salivary component. This study shows reduced anticandidal activity and salivary flow rate in HIV-infected patients. The se alterations may contribute to their increased incidence of oral candidal infections.