Elevated levels of salivary lactoferrin, a marker for chronic periodontitis?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Whole saliva is a complex mixture of fluids essential for the well-being of the oral hard and soft tissues. Saliva contains numerous antimicrobial proteins that help protect the oral ecosystem from infectious agents. Chronic periodontitis is an infectious chronic inflammatory condition that affects the tooth-supporting structures and leads to their destruction. The aim of the present study was to investigate differences in concentrations of salivary lactoferrin in subjects with and without periodontal disease and correlate these values with clinical variables associated with periodontal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 17 subjects with chronic periodontitis and 17 periodontally healthy control subjects. Data relating to bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and horizontal bone loss were registered. Concentrations of lactoferrin, lysozyme and IgA in stimulated whole saliva were quantified using ELISA. RESULTS Subjects with chronic periodontits showed higher concentrations of lactoferrin in stimulated whole saliva compared with periodontally healthy control subjects (p < 0.05). Salivary concentrations of lactoferrin were positively correlated with bleeding on probing (p < 0.001) and the number of sites with probing pocket depth ≥ 6 mm (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Lactoferrin is raised in stimulated whole saliva in subjects with chronic periodontitis and is correlated with probing pocket depth ≥ 6 mm.