Biochemical and immunological study of saliva in relation to oral health status in thalassemia major patients in Mosul

Abstract

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate some biochemical (Lysozyme and Peroxidase enzymes) and immunological (S-IgA) changes in saliva of thalassemia major patients and the correlation of these changes with the oral health status measured by the dmft/DMFT (decay, missing, filling tooth index for deciduous and permanent dentition), plaque and gingival indices.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Ibn Al-Atheer Teaching Hospital in Mosul and involved (91) subjects. The study group (70 thalassemia major patients) and the control group (21 normal non-thalassemic subjects). The study group was divided into two subgroups (35 each) according to the history of disease. Data was collected from each patient including medical status and oral health status indices and saliva samples were collected from each patient and stored at -20 oC to be analyzed for salivary Lysozyme by lysoplate method, salivary Peroxidase activity and salivary secretary S-IgA by ELISA.Results: Showed that the dmft/DMFT plaque and gingival indices in thalassemia major patients were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than normal subjects. The salivary lysozyme in thalassemia major patients was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than normal subjects. The salivary peroxidase activity was nearly higher in thalassemic patients than normal subjects. The salivary S-IgA in thalassemic patients was significantly lower (P < 0.001) than normal subjects. Conclusions: The study showed a significant correlation between the changes in some of the salivary constituents and the high prevalence of dental caries, plaque and gingivitis in thalassemia major patients