Immunoglobulin A levels in serum and saliva of patients treated with phenytoin.

A study was conducted to compare IgA levels in serum and saliva obtained from phenytoin-treated epileptic patients (PHT-TEPs) and a control group and to examine the correlation between IgA levels and clinical parameters. Eighteen epileptic patients treated with phenytoin and 18 periodontally healthy individuals with no systemic disease were included in the study. Clinical parameters were recorded, and samples of serum and saliva were obtained from each individual. IgA levels were determined by the radial immunodiffusion technique. Serum IgA levels were significantly lower in PHT-TEPs. No difference was found in salivary IgA levels between the PHT-TEP and control groups. Weak negative correlations were found between serum IgA level and gingival overgrowth index (GOI), and between salivary IgA level and GOI. None of the clinical parameters was significantly correlated with IgA level in the PHT-TEP group.