Detection of HIV Antibody in Saliva and Gingival Crevicular Fluid

1Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China, 2Contagious Hospital of Henan Province, Beijing, China, 3College of Stomatology, Jiamusi University, Beijing, China

Objectives: To evaluate performance of a convenient assay for anti-HIV antibody on saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and to compare its sensitivity with a standard serum HIV antibody Western Blot.

Method: 153 saliva samples and 177 GCF samples were collected from patients who were serum HIV-positive detected on Western Blot. The saliva was unstimulated whole saliva and GCF was collected by inserting Whatman filter paper of 2×10mm2 into the mesio-buccal gingival sulcus of the right upper first molar for 30 seconds. The diagnostic kits used for antibody detection to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and/or 2 and HIV-1 antigen (ELISA) were produced by BioMerieux. The result were read by ELISA reader (450±5nm wavelength).

Result: 150/153 (98.0%) of saliva samples and 150/177 (84.7%) of GCF samples were positive. Sensitivities of saliva HIV antibodies and GCF antibodies were 98.0% and 84.7% respectively. The concentration of HIV-antibody in HIV-positive individuals was significantly higher than that in AIDS patients (P<0.05). ). Dividing the patients into 4 groups according to levels of HIV-antibodies demonstrated the percentage of patients receiving HAART was associated with the increase of antibody concentration both in GCF and saliva. The concentration of HIV-antibody in both GCF and saliva had no correlation with CD4+ count.

Conclusion: The saliva and GCF had a high sensitivity for detection of HIV antibody. The sample is easy to collect and is non invasive, and may more easily accepted by individuals. HAART may promote patients to produce more salivary HIV antibodies.