Selected Saliva-Derived Cytokines and Growth Factors Are Elevated in Pediatric Dentofacial Inflammation

Abstract

Dentofacial inflammation resulting from untreated dental caries is a serious disease that can spread to deeper tissues of the neck and face. This study aimed to analyze salivary cytokine profiles as potential biomarkers of acute odontogenic infections in children. The study group consisted of 28 children aged 3–17 years old with acute dentofacial infections (DI) and a control group (caries experience, CE) of 52 children aged 4–17 years old with uncomplicated dental caries. The cytokine profile was analyzed using the Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 27-Plex kit in the saliva of children in both groups. The levels of IL-4, IL-15, FGF-2, G-CSF, and PDGF-BB were significantly increased in children with dentofacial infections compared to the control group. In contrast, the levels of other cytokines, such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-9, IL-13, GM-CSF, and IFN-γ, did not show statistically significant differences between these two groups. IL-4, IL-15, FGF-2, G-CSF, and PDGF-BB may serve as potential selective biomarkers of inflammation of the oral cavity in children. These biomarkers can be useful in identifying and monitoring the progress and treatment of bacterial infections resulting in dentofacial inflammation.