A Comparative Study of Salivary Composition of HIV Seropositive Patients on HAART and Not on HAART

Abstract

Aims In the present study, the flow rate and few specific components of saliva from HIV positive patients on HAART and not on HAART therapy has been examined. Setting and design: This study was conducted on the HIV +ve patients attending the specialty clinics of the Oral Medicine Clinics at Guy′s and King College Hospital, London, in 2004 Materials and methods: Two group of patients (nine HIV +ve patients on HAART and nine not on HAART) were selected by random sampling. From each patient, whole mouth unstimulated saliva and stimulated parotid saliva was collected. Markers used were (1) Salivary flow rate indicator of acinar cell fluid secretion, (2) lactoferrin-indicator of salivary gland inflammation and innate immunity, (3) immunoglobulin A indicator of mucosal immunity and (4) total protein-indicator of overall salivary protein secretion Total salivary protein contraction was assayed by measuring absorbance at 215 nm by a spectrophotometer (Ultrospec 4050) and salivary IgA concentration by ELISA. Statistical analysis used: Student′s unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney parametric test. P-values < 0-05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results: No significant difference was observed between the two groups. Mean IgA of the HAART group patients was found to be nonsignificantly higher. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that HAART does not significantly after the composition of saliva. Further, larger studies are required to study the effect of HAART on salivary gland function.

Keywords

• HAART
• Xerostomia
• HIV