Infections: The Role of Saliva in Oral Health-A Narrative Review.

species, particularly , are causative agents of oral infections to which immunocompromised patients are especially susceptible. Reduced saliva flow (xerostomia) can lead to overgrowth, as saliva contains antibacterial components such as histatins and β-defensins that inhibit fungal growth and adhesion to the oral mucosa. adheres to host tissues, forms biofilms, and secretes enzymes required for tissue invasion and immune evasion. Secretory asparaginyl proteinases (Saps) and candidalysin, a cytolytic peptide toxin, are vital to virulence, and agglutinin-like sequence (Als) proteins are crucial for adhesion, invasion, and biofilm formation. is a risk factor for dental caries and may increase periodontal disease virulence when it coexists with . infections have been suggested to heighten the risk of oral cancer based on a relationship between species and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) or oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD). Meanwhile, β-glucan in the cell wall has antitumor effects. In addition, biofilms protect viruses such as herpesviruses and coxsackieviruses. Understanding the intricate interactions between species, host immune responses, and coexisting microbial communities is essential for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies against oral infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.