Saliva As A Diagnostic Fluid

Reports on recent advances in detecting drugs, hormones, antibodies, and other molecules of diagnostic importance; research has been going on in such fields as dentistry, clinical chemistry, and steroid hormones, but the researchers have not been talking to each across the disciplinary back fence. A

Salivary Diagnostics surveys one of the most exciting areas of research in oral biology. Regarded as the mirror of the body, saliva has immense potential to yield real clinical improvements in our ability to diagnose, and hence treat, oral and systemic conditions. The composition of saliva and other oral fluids reflects the tissue fluid levels of therapeutic, hormonal, and immunological molecules, as well as the presence of markers for systemic and oral disease.

This volume discusses the use of saliva testing as a non-invasive diagnostic aid to monitor drug and hormone levels and to detect oral and systemic disease, including AIDS. Investigators from the fields of oral biology, pharmacology and toxicology, and microbiology and immunology, present their work on the biochemistry and pharmacokinetics of drugs and hormones in saliva and the clinical applications of such testing. The role of saliva in dental caries and peridontal disease is also discussed.

Saliva is a complex fluid that maintains oral health and has many physiological functions. It is a noninvasive diagnostic fluid as well. Lately, salivary diagnostics has proven its potential to reach clinical practice in the near future for the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of various diseases. Salivary Glands - New Approaches in Diagnostics and Treatment is a comprehensive reference, which brings together information on salivary secretion and its disorders, the novel salivary diagnostic methods for numerous diseases, and new techniques in the treatment of salivary diseases. This book contains information for a diverse audience, including dentists, oral biologists, experimental biologists, molecular biologists, oncologists, radiologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and otorhinolaryngologists.

This book represents a guide to the academic, scientific and clinical applications of saliva as a diagnostic fluid. This volume is written by leaders in multiple fields and fulfills a demand for a broad understanding of saliva across a range of disciplines.

"Even though the saliva lacks the drama of blood, sincerity of sweat, emotions of tears saliva should be used as biomarker to detect pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, oral pre cancer & cancer, infectious diseases and also to catch the suspect by eliciting DNA from saliva over the bite marks in forensic odontolgy.This may allow a diagnosis of cancer to be made at an earlier stage, giving patients more choice in various treatment options. Doctors hope that, advancements in salivary diagnostics in the future will replace invasive biopsies and provide new avenues in early detection and diagnosis.It is a perfect medium for surveillance of health and disease. Saliva is ideal for screening premalignant and malignant oral neoplasms because of its anatomical poximity.Saliva contains specific biomarkers associated with either a healthy or diseased state."