Secretory immunoglogulin A (S-IgA) in the Saliva of children with Type 1 Diabetes, Asthma, Systemic Health and Systemic Health but Wearing Removable Orthodontic Appliances

Aim: The aim of this study was to quantify secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) in the saliva of children with type 1 diabetes, asthma, no systemic disease, and no systemic disease but wearing a removable orthodontic appliance. Methods: The study recruited 116 children who had either type 1 diabetes or asthma, were systemically healthy, or were systemically healthy but wore a removable orthodontic appliance. All children were assessed for risk of dental caries and provided saliva samples for assay for S-IgA. Results: The results indicated that the average values of S-IgA in the saliva of the healthy children and of the children with diabetes were 121.3 ±15.0 μg/ml. and 133.9 ±160.5 μg/ml, respectively. Children with asthma and removable orthodontic appliances had statistically higher values for S-IgA: 196.4 ±145.3 μg/ml and 208.8 ±125.9 μg/ml, respectively. The average values of S-IgA in all four groups varied widely. The differences were greatest in children with removable orthodontic appliances and in children with asthma. Conclusions: In the relatively small samples studied: (1) The average values of S-IgA in the saliva of healthy children and in the saliva of children suffering from diabetes were lower than those of children in the groups who had asthma and who were systemically healthy but wore removable orthodontic appliances. (2) The children with asthma and who wore removable orthodontic appliances showed statistically significant higher values of S-IgA: 196.4±145.3 μg/ml and 208.8±125.9 μg/ml, respectively. (3) The individual values of S-IgA in the different children in all four groups studied varied within broad limits. The differences were greatest in children with orthodontic appliances and in children with asthma. (4) Removable orthodontic appliances appeared to be a local immunogenic factor, which provided a stronger stimulus for oral secretory immunity than systemic factors such as diabetes and asthma. (5) Secretory immunity as a marker for local acquired immunity in the oral cavity may be affected by systemic and local factors.