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Stimulated And Non-Stimulated Salivary Flows Should Be Tested For The Presence Of HCV RNA In Saliva Samples From Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C

Grossmann SMC*,De Oliveira GC,Teixeira R,Vieira do Carmo MA

Objective: In most of the studies which analyzed the presence of HCV RNA in saliva from patients with chronic hepatitis C only stimulated saliva samples have been used for viral detection. Thus, this study compared the prevalence of HCV RNA in non-stimulated and stimulated salivary flows in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Design: Saliva samples of non-stimulated and stimulated salivary flows from 24 patients were collected, and the HCV RNA was investigated by RT-nested PCR. Data regarding age, gender, risk factors for HCV infection, xerostomia and hyposalivation were also analyzed.
Results: The HCV RNA could be detected in 11 (45.8%) non stimulated and in 14 (58.3%) stimulated saliva samples, without statistical significance (p=0.472). However, in 18 (75.0%) patients it was possible to detect the presence of the HCV RNA at least in one of the saliva samples. Six (25.0%) patients complained of xerostomia and nine (37.5%) presented hyposalivation, but in only 3 (12.5%) patients, these conditions could be observed, simultaneously. No significant correlation between the presence of HCV RNA in saliva and age, gender, risk factors for HCV infection, xerostomia and hyposalivation could be identified.
Conclusion: Both stimulated and non-stimulated saliva samples must be investigated for the presence of HCV RNA in patients with chronic hepatitis C, to avoid underestimated prevalence of HCV in this group of patients.