The purpose of this investigation was to determine if saliva would affect the retention of serum antibodies to S. mutans. A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to estimate total IgM, IgG and IgA after applications of whole saliva and absorbed serum to equal but separate aliquots of S. mutans. Total antibodies were also estimated after the sequential application of saliva and adsorbed serum to the same aliquot of S. mutans. Significantly more IgG, but not IgM or IgA, was retained on saliva-treated cells than on untreated cells. IgG retention was greatly diminished when saliva was pre-absorbed with S. mutans but Streptococcus sanguis was less effective. Most subjects, regardless of caries experience, had IgG that would be retained by saliva-treated cells but saliva from caries-resistant subjects promoted IgG retention significantly more than saliva from susceptible subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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