lactoferrin and Opportunistic-Infections

This study focused on the anti-microbial protein human lactoferrin (hLF) commonly found in saliva, and tried to develop biocompatible dental materials that have higher anti-microbial effects.. A lyophilized cation exchange resin was added to tissue conditioner at 4 wt% and 8 wt%. The amount of hLF binding to the tissue conditioner and their anti-microbial effect against Candida albicans was investigated. Then their mechanical properties and cytotoxicity were examined.. Tissue conditioner containing cation exchange resin was bound with hLF and had an anti-microbial effect against C. albicans. In addition, their physical properties were sufficient and they were harmless to human fibroblasts.. The clinical application of cation exchange resin for tissue conditioner can be effective for the prevention and treatment of denture stomatitis and systemic opportunistic infections since it is thought that these materials will increase the local concentration of anti-microbial protein in saliva at the lesion site.

Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Candida albicans; Cation Exchange Resins; Cell Line; Dental Materials; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Fibroblasts; Freeze Drying; Humans; Lactoferrin; Opportunistic Infections; Protein Binding; Saliva; Stomatitis, Denture; Tissue Conditioning, Dental

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the local oral defense mechanisms during the course of leukemia, and to define the correlation between the activity of salivary antibacterial factors and the oral clinical findings.. A total of 44 children with newly diagnosed acute leukemia participated in the study. The control group consisted of 23 healthy children. The examination took place at the time of the diagnosis, and during and at the end of the chemotherapy treatment course. During the collection of resting mixed saliva samples the salivary flow rate was measured. In the saliva's supernatant the following parameters were determined: total protein, peroxidase, myeloperoxidase, lysozyme, lactoferrin, and secretory immunoglobulin A.. The introduction of chemotherapy caused a slight decrease of salivary secretion rate (P < .05), as well as the decrease of S-IgA concentration (P < .01), which remained at the same level after the end of chemotherapy (P < .001). Patients with aplasia had decreased levels of peroxidase (P = .014) and myeloperoxidase (P = .013). Patients with oral mucositis presented with lower myeloperoxidase (P = .026) and peroxidase (P = .003) activity levels as well as the drop of S-IgA (P = .000) concentration compared with subjects with no mucositis.. Antileukemic treatment contributes to the compromise of salivary defense mechanisms, therefore it is reasonable to support pharmacologically the saliva's antibacterial potential of leukemic patients to impede the development of local infection.

Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Infective Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; Lactoferrin; Leukemia; Male; Mucositis; Muramidase; Opportunistic Infections; Peroxidase; Saliva; Salivary Proteins and Peptides; Secretory Rate; Stomatitis