Glucosyltransferase B, immunoglobulin a, and caries experience among a group of Egyptian preschool children.

PURPOSE

Glucosyltransferase B enzyme (GtfB) plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of dental caries. It catalyzes the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan from sucrose, which is essential for accumulation of Streptococcus mutans in the dental biofilm. On the other hand, salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) plays a protective role in the same process. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to attempt to correlate glucosyltransferase B enzyme and immunoglobulin A levels in whole saliva with caries experience in preschool children.

METHODS

Forty-five 3- to 6-year-old were examined clinically, and their caries experiences were recorded as decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) scores. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected and analyzed for GtfB and IgA using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

Mixed-model analysis revealed that both GtfB and IgA are covariants regarding the effect on dmft scores (P =.008). GtfB levels displayed a simultaneous increase in caries experience (dmft) and number of carious lesions (d), while IgA levels were high in caries-free children and significantly lower values were obtained in the high caries group.

CONCLUSION

Salivary IgA was negatively correlated with caries experience and inversely proportional with GtfB levels in the saliva of preschool children.