Saliva is one of the most significant components in maintaining oral homeostasis and symbiosis. It contains antimicrobial
proteins and
peptides, such as
mucins,
lactoferrin,
lysozyme,
lactoperoxidase, Catherine,
statins, and
antibodies (secretory immunoglobin A [
sIgA]). Early defenses against
respiratory infections rely heavily on mucosal immunity, especially secretory
sIgA, which has several features and functions that make it suitable for mucosal defense. Salivary testing has been utilized to define mucosal immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
infection.
Lysozyme has
muramidase, with antimicrobial activity, and high concentrations in body fluids, such as saliva and tear. This research aimed to offer an update on how saliva components suppress
viral infection and sustain health. A total of 50 individuals, including 30 SARS-2 patients and 20 non-infected subjects, in the age range of 32-54 years were enrolled in this study. Saliva specimens were obtained from polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and non-infected participants. To collect saliva, the subjects were advised to swirl water over their lips three times, and 5.0 ml of saliva was collected. Samples were centrifuged at 800 x g for 10 min. Saliva was diluted at 1:2,000 with 1 × Diluent N. The
immunoglobulin A (
IgA) titer in saliva was detected. A spectrophotometer was used to measure the
solution's change in absorbance at 550 nm. Measurements (salivary
IgA and
lysozyme) were made after 7, 30, and 60 days of confirmatory PCR
COVID-19 test. The mean scores of salivary
IgA levels were obtained at 17.85, 15.26, and 10.73 mg/dl in patients and 9.53, 10.33, and 9.21 mg/dl in healthy individuals after 7, 30, and 60 days, respectively. The salivary
lysozyme activity levels in SARS-2 patients compared to controls were 9.7, 7.3, and 4.2 mg/dl versus 2.9, 3.4, and 3.77 mg/dl, respectively. The salivary
IgA level was significantly higher in patients of a confirmatory test for
COVID-19 compared to healthy individuals.