Detection of HIV Antibody in Saliva and Gingival Crevicular Fluid

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate performances on saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of conveniently available assay for anti-HIV antibody and to compare its sensitivity with a standard serum HIV antibody detection of Weston Blot. Method: 153 saliva samples and 177 GCF samples were collected from patients who were serum HIV-positive detected in Western Blot. The saliva were unstimulated whole saliva and GCF were collected by inserting Whatman filter paper of 2×10mm2 into gingival sulcus of mesio-buccal angle of right upper first molar for 30 seconds. The diagnostic Kit were used for antibody detection to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and/or 2 and HIV-1 antigen (ELISA), which were produced by BioMerieux bv. The result were read by ELISA reader in 450±5nm wavelength. Result: 150/153 (98.0%) of saliva samples and 150/177 (84.7%) of GCF samples were positive for the Kit. So sensitivities of saliva HIV antibodies and GCF antibodies were 98.0% and 84.7% seperately. The concentration of HIV-antibody in HIV-positive individuals was significantly higher than that in AIDS patients (P<0.05). It was interesting that the ratio of patients receiving HAART at different levels of detectable concentration of HIV-antibody went 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 it is noninvasive, more easy to be accepted by subjects. HAART may promote patients to produce more HIV antibodies.