Inflammatory markers in acne vulgaris: Saliva as a novel diagnostic fluid

Background: Despite the wide use of saliva-based measurements in inflammatory, autoimmune and neoplastic conditions, its use in dermatology is still limited. Aims: The aims of this study were to assess the serum and salivary levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with acne vulgaris. Patients/Methods: The study included 84 moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris patients, in addition to 105 healthy control subjects. Serum and salivary levels of CRP and IL-1β were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: Using T-test, the serum and salivary levels of both CRP and IL-1β in the patients were significantly higher than the measured levels in the control subjects (p < 0.001). Using Pearson correlation coefficient, serum and salivary CRP and serum IL-1β levels showed significantly positive correlation with GAGS scores (p < 0.001). The levels of IL-1β in saliva did not show significant correlation with GAGS scores or with serum and salivary CRP. Conclusions: The current study supports the emerging role of saliva as a valid noninvasive tool for monitoring inflammation and as a reliable and stress-free tool to evaluate cytokines and other inflammatory marker levels in acne vulgaris.