Lactoferrin levels in gingival crevicular fluid and saliva of HIV-infected patients with chronic periodontitis.

Aim: This study compared lactoferrin (LF) levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva between HIV-infected and noninfected patients with chronic periodontitis.

Methods: For each subject, LF levels were analyzed in one shallow site (SS; PD ≤3 mm), one deep site (DS; PD >5 mm) and in resting whole saliva. Two groups, 28 HIV-infected and 10 noninfected, were selected.

Results: Although the salivary LF levels were higher in HIV-infected than in noninfected individuals, especially in AIDS patients, this was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Subgingival LF levels for SS and DS were lower among HIV-infected individuals, although AIDS patients showed the lowest levels. Age, smoking, gender, T CD4 lymphocytes levels and viral load did not influence subgingival LF levels, neither for SS nor for DP. Positive fungal culture was observed in 24 HIV-infected patients, but only observed in one in the control group. Overall, LF concentration was significantly higher in DS than SS, both in HIV-infected and noninfected individuals (P < 0.05) and salivary LF levels were always higher than GCF levels.

Conclusion: The data indicate that LF levels in the GCF and saliva are not different between HIV-infected and noninfected patients with chronic periodontitis.