Abstract
Aims: The present study aimed to investigate some biochemical
(Lysozyme and Peroxidase enzymes) and immunological (S-IgA)
changes in saliva of thalassemia major patients and the
correlation of these changes with the oral health status measured
by the dmft/DMFT (decay, missing, filling tooth index for
deciduous and permanent dentition), plaque and gingival
indices.Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in Ibn
Al-Atheer Teaching Hospital in Mosul and involved (91)
subjects. The study group (70 thalassemia major patients) and the
control group (21 normal non-thalassemic subjects). The study
group was divided into two subgroups (35 each) according to the
history of disease. Data was collected from each patient including
medical status and oral health status indices and saliva samples
were collected from each patient and stored at -20 oC to be
analyzed for salivary Lysozyme by lysoplate method, salivary
Peroxidase activity and salivary secretary S-IgA by
ELISA.Results: Showed that the dmft/DMFT plaque and gingival
indices in thalassemia major patients were significantly higher (P
< 0.001) than normal subjects. The salivary lysozyme in
thalassemia major patients was significantly lower (P < 0.001)
than normal subjects. The salivary peroxidase activity was nearly
higher in thalassemic patients than normal subjects. The salivary
S-IgA in thalassemic patients was significantly lower (P < 0.001)
than normal subjects. Conclusions: The study showed a
significant correlation between the changes in some of the
salivary constituents and the high prevalence of dental caries,
plaque and gingivitis in thalassemia major patients.
