Quantitative determination of immunologic components of salivary gland secretion in long-term, event-free pediatric oncology patients.

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy influences the human immune system. Salivary alterations occur during cancer treatment. In this article we examine the salivary immunoglobulin content in pediatric patients who were long-term event-free and correlate these findings with different oral factors. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-two children of a study group and 63 children of a control group were examined at our University Hospital. Caries prevalence and plaque index were scored. Whole saliva samples were taken for determination of slgA and IgG concentrations and Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus counts. For statistical analysis the Dental Survey Plus (Providence Software Services, Bristol, England) software package was used. RESULTS: Concentrations of slgA and IgG were within normal limits in both groups; slgA level increased with age. A negative correlation between slgA concentration and caries experience was not found in all age groups. No correlation with other salivary parameters was found. CONCLUSION: Salivary content of slgA and IgG can return to normal after cytotoxic therapy in these children. Salivary IgA seem to play a role in the development of dental caries in this population.