Salivary IgA in periodontal disease

Abstract

The IgA content in whole and parotid saliva was determined in normal human subjects and in individuals afflicted with periodontal disease. The immunological measurements were made by means of a diffusion-in-gel method previously described. Elevated IgA-levels were found in the whole saliva of patients with periodontal disease, while normal levels of IgA were noted in sera and parotid saliva of all subjects studied regardless of their periodontal status. It was concluded that the elevated levels of IgA in the whole saliva was due to increased leakage of IgA via the gingival fluid.