Qualitative and quantitative analysis of saliva in a group of HIV infected individuals

Abstract

A study which investigates whether the quality and quantity of saliva may contribute to the prevalence of oral disease in HIV infection, and whether there is a significant variance of saliva quality and quantity between early and late stage HIV infection. Samples were collected from 65 subjects with HIV infection and 33 control subjects. Results indicate that it is more likely that subjects with HIV infection will have reduced stimulated salivary flow than subjects without HIV, and that this reduction is not related to the stage of HIV infection nor to medication taken. Subjects with low salivary pH were more likely to exhibit candidiasis.