 |
Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue3
Subject Area: Dental Medicine
-
DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026323.7114
Published online: 24 September 2026
Original article
J of IMAB. 2026 Jul-Sep;32(3):7114-7118
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SALIVARY BIOCHEMICAL, MICROBIOLOGICAL, AND IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN CHILDREN WITH BRONCHIAL ASTHMA AND HEALTHY CONTROLS
Tanya Nihtyanova1
, Yordan Kalchev2, 3, Ani Belcheva-Krivorova1,
1) Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
2) Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
3) Division of Innovative Diagnostic Methods, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv (RIMU), Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Bronchial asthma in children is a chronic inflammatory condition that may influence the composition and function of saliva, potentially impacting oral health. Altered salivary parameters, such as flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, microbiological profile, and immune components, are increasingly recognized as relevant in asthmatic populations.
Objective: To perform a comparative analysis of the biochemical, microbiological, and immunological characteristics of saliva in children with bronchial asthma versus healthy controls.
Material/Methods: The study included 116 children aged 5–17 years—58 with clinically diagnosed bronchial asthma and 58 healthy controls. Salivary parameters assessed included stimulated salivary flow rate, pH, buffer capacity, consistency, colony-forming unit (CFU) per ml saliva of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp., and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration. Standardized in vitro tests and ELISA were used for measurements. Statistical analyses were performed using variation and alternative analysis methods.
Results: Children with asthma exhibited significantly lower stimulated salivary flow (mean: 4.78 ml/5min) compared to controls (mean: 8.05 ml/5min, p<0.05). Saliva in asthmatics was more frequently acidic or slightly alkaline (p=0.019). No significant differences were observed in buffer capacity or consistency. The prevalence of increased S. mutans and Lactobacillus spp. was higher in the asthma group, although not statistically significant. SIgA levels were significantly higher in children with asthma (mean: 208.82 µg/ml) compared to controls (mean: 138.83 µg/ml, p<0.05).
Conclusion: Bronchial asthma in children is associated with reduced salivary flow and increased salivary acidity, along with elevated SIgA levels, indicating possible compensatory immune activation. These changes may predispose to oral health complications and warrant targeted preventive strategies.
Keywords: Pediatric asthma, Salivary biomarkers, Oral health,
- Download FULL TEXT /PDF 496 KB/
Please cite this article as: Nihtyanova T, Kalchev Y, Belcheva-Krivorova A. Comparative Analysis of Salivary Biochemical, Microbiological, and Immunological Parameters in Children with Bronchial Asthma and Healthy Controls. J of IMAB. 2026 Jul-Sep;32(3):7114-7118. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026323.7114]
Correspondence to: Tanya Nihtyanova, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University - Plovdiv; 3, Hristo Botev Blvd, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria. E-mail: Tanya.Nihtyanova@mu-plovdiv.bg
REFERENCES:
1. Bairappan S, Puranik M, Sowmya K. Impact of asthma and its medication on salivary characteristics and oral health in adolescents: A cross-sectional comparative study. Spec Care Dentist. 2020 May;40(3):227-237. [PubMed]
2. Arafa A, Aldahlawi S, Fathi A. Assessment of the oral health status of asthmatic children. Eur J Dent. 2017 Jul-Sep;11(3):357-363. [PubMed]
3. Paganini M, Dezan CC, Bichalo TR, de Andrare FB, Neto AC, Fernandes KB. Dental caries status and salivary properties of asthmatic children and adolescents. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2011 May;21(3):185-191. [PubMed]
4. Eloot A, Vandbergen J, Martens L. [Oral health in asthmatic children: a dose-response study.] [in French] Rev Belge Med Dent (1984). 2004;59(2):130-7. [PubMed]
5. Kargul B, Tanboga I, Ergeneli S, Karakoc F, Dagli E. Inhaler medicament effects on saliva and plaque pH in asthmatic children. J Clin Ped Dent. 1998 Winter; 22(2):137-40. [PubMed]
6. Moreira L, Galvão E, Mourão P, Ramos-Jorge M, Fernandes I. Association between asthma and oral conditions in children and adolescents: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Clin Oral Investig. 2023 Jan;27(1):45-67. [PubMed]
7. Arafa A, AlDahlawi S, Hussien A. Impact of Secretory Immunoglobulin A Level on Dental Caries Experience in Asthmatic Children. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2019 Sep-Oct;12(5):414-418. [PubMed]
8. Alaki SM, Ashiry EA, Bakry NS, Baghlaf KK, Bagher SM. The effects of asthma and asthma medication on dental caries and salivary characteristics in children. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2013;11(2):113-20. [PubMed]
9. Moosavi MS, Hosseinizade PS, Panahi G, Shariat M. Decreased salivary beta-defensin 2 in children with asthma after treatment with corticosteroid inhaler. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2023 Apr;24(2):249-254. [PubMed]
10. Ehsaniр S, Moin M, Meighani G, Pourhashemi S, Khayatpisheh H, Yarahmadi N. Oral health status in preschool asthmatic children in Iran. Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Jul;12(3):254-261. [PubMed]
11. Santos NC, Jamelli S, Costa L, Baracho Filho C, Medeiros D, Rizzo JA, et al. Assessing caries, dental plaque and salivary flow in asthmatic adolescents using inhaled corticosteroids. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2012 Jul-Aug;40(4):220-4. [PubMed]
12. Ersin NK, Gülen F, Eronat N, Cogulu D, Demir E, Tanaç R, Aydemir S. Oral and dental manifestations of young asthmatics related to medication, severity and duration of condition. Pediatr Int. 2006 Dec;48(6):549-54. [PubMed]
13. Sag C, Ozden FO, Acikgoz G, Anlar FY. The effects of combination treatment with a long-acting beta2-agonist and a corticosteroid on salivary flow rate, secretory immunoglobulin A, and oral health in children and adolescents with moderate asthma: a 1-month, single-blind clinical study. Clin Ther. 2007 Oct;29(10):2236–42. [PubMed]
14. Świątkowska-Bury M, Zawadzka-Krajewska A, Kulus M, Olczak-Kowalczyk D. The effect of the type of inhaled anti-asthmatic therapy on the properties of saliva in children – a phantom study. J Stoma. 2021;74(1):22–7. [Crossref]
15. Thomas MS, Parolia A, Kundabala M, Vikram M. Asthma and oral health: a review. Aust Dent J. 2010 Jun;55(2):128-33. [PubMed]
Received: 29 May 2026
Published online: 24 September 2026