Oral hygiene and salivary immunoglobulin among acute lymphocytic leukemic patients undergoing chemotherapy courses

Abstract EN

Background : Chemotherapy impaired the normal function of the human immune system.

The patients' ability to accomplish adequate oral hygiene may be limited.

When chemotherapy is indicated, it is imperative that health of the oral cavity be assessed initially as well as throughout therapy.

This study was conducted to evaluate the oral hygiene and salivary immunoglobulin in patients undergoing chemotherapy courses.

Subjects and methods : The study groups included 30 acute lymphatic patients, they were under chemotherapy.

The control group includes 30 subjects matching with study group in age and gender.

Plaque status was evaluated according to the Silness and Loe Index, dental calculus according to Ramfjord index, while gingival condition was assessed according to Loe and Silness.

After oral examination, stimulated saliva samples were collected from the subjects and performed under standard condition following instruction cited by Tenovuo and Lagerlof, and chemically analyzed for the detection of salivary immunoglobulin (IgA and IgG).

Results : Higher plaque, calculus and gingival index were recorded among acute lymphatic patients compare to the control group, statistically significant difference with calculus index between groups.

A low level of IgA, and IgG were seen among the study group compared to the control groups in both genders.

A non-significant correlation was found between salivary immunoglobulin and oral cleanliness among acute lymphatic patients.

Conclusions : Salivary immunoglobulin levels affect severally by chemotherapy.

Salivary IgA, and IgG defect seem to play a role in the development of poor oral hygiene among acute lymphatic patients.