30. Oral immunity. Protective mechanisms of the oral mucosa, oral lymphoid tissue, saliva and gingival fluid. Immune reactions and protective mechanisms in the main oral diseases.

INTRAUTERINE DEVELOPMENT

Passive immunity from mother and developing own immunoreactivity→ protection of the foetus from congenital infections

NEWBORNS

• Rejected Zero Immunity
• At birth, presence of phagocytic activity of complement, interferon and other factors of non-specific immunity
• In this period, congenital and acquired infections occur with undifferentiated clinic and a tendency to generalisation

MATERNAL ANTIBODIES

• From 2nd month of the infant and begins to decline
• Disappears within 6 months, but it is retained for longer in breast-fed infants

ORAL IMMUNITY OF NEWBORNS

• Oral mucosa adapts as a barrier
• Supported by emergence of immunoregulatory network
• It depends on microbial colonisation and food allergens
• Breast feeding is the best way to shape the immune phenotype
• Breast milk contains immune cells, cytokines, growth factor, immunoglobulin A
• Breast milk provides early postnatal development of secretory immunity
• Secretory IgA until 8months is obtained from the mother→ secretion begins thereafter
• At this period, oral microflora is modelling and inhibits surface colonisation of MOs which prevents the penetration of harmful factors
• Neonatal period is critical for infection and allergies