Salivary IgG, a parameter of periodontal disease activity? High responders to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 in juvenile and adult periodontitis.

The concentration of salivary IgG and IgA and the levels of salivary IgG and IgA antibodies to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4 were measured by ELISA in 205 persons including patients with juvenile and adult periodontitis as well as healthy subjects. Compared to the concentration observed in subjects with a healthy periodontium, a significantly increased concentration of salivary IgG was found in 34% of the patients with moderate adult periodontitis and in 57% of the patients with severe adult periodontitis. The level of salivary IgA was less influenced by the periodontal condition. The level of salivary IgG antibody to A. actinomycetemcomitans was significantly elevated in 55% of the patients with untreated juvenile periodontitis and in 28% of the patients treated for JP. 28% of the patients with adult periodontitis had a significantly elevated level of IgG antibody to A. actinomycetemcomitans Y4. Significantly elevated levels of IgA antibody to this bacteria was found less frequently, 27% in untreated JP, 20% in treated JP and 17% in adult periodontitis.