Salivary immunoglobulin levels in juvenile autoimmune hepatitis

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of immunoglobulins (Ig) in whole saliva from patients affected by autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). Design: Twelve individuals with AIH and 12 healthy individuals without (CON) autoimmune hepatitis, aged 8-18 years, participated in this study. Non-stimulated whole saliva was collected and centrifuged. Supernatants were separated and lyophilized. Salivary pH was measured and immunoglobulins were analyzed through ELISA technique. Results: Salivary pH (CON, 7.17 +/- 0.45; AIH, 6.92 +/- 0.43) did not differ between groups (p = 0.183). Measurable levels of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE were detected on all patients. IgG levels were higher in AIH individuals (CON, 1.058 +/- 0.386; AIH, 1.635 +/- 0.373; p = 0.001), whereas IgA (CON, 0.915 +/- 0.187; AIH, 0.995 +/- 0.235; p = 0.362), IgM (CON, 0.683 +/- 0.147, AIH, 0.646 +/- 0.161; p = 0.561) and IgE levels (CON, 1.241 +/- 0.378; AIH, 1.312 +/- 0.412; p = 0.664) did not present differences between groups. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest differences in salivary IgG levels between individuals with and without AIH. Thus, saliva has the potential of becoming an important diagnostic tool for the assessment of AIH.