Pneumococcal Immune Status Accurately Determined in Saliva Samples

Individuals who had protective antibody levels in serum demonstrated significantly higher IgG and IgA salivary antibody concentrations and secretion rates. Salivary IgG and IgA Pn antibodies were able to distinguish between those with/without protective levels in serum for the majority of serotypes. Salivary IgM antibodies were not able to differentiate protective status.

First author Dr. Jennifer Heaney, a researcher in immunity and infection at the University of Birmingham, said, "Protection against bacterial infection is usually inferred by measuring antibody levels in blood serum. But taking blood samples involves a number of logistical considerations and may not always be feasible, especially in developing countries or where children are involved. Saliva sampling is non-invasive, requires no specialist training or equipment, and may be more cost-effective. The suggestion that antibody levels in saliva may be indicative of those in serum therefore has important implications for markers of immunity and vaccination in many parts of the world. This research highlights the need for larger studies further to investigate the potential of saliva testing as a tool to assess immunity."

The study was published in the December 12, 2016, online edition of the journal Biomarkers.

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