Salivary Functional Antibody Secretion Is Reduced in Older Adults: A Potential Mechanism of Increased Susceptibility to Bacterial Infection in the Elderly

摘要

Background. Bacterial infections in the elderly are common and associated with high morbidity and mortality, with pneumonia the second commonest cause of death. Reductions in antibodies against specific bacterial antigens in saliva and serum could contribute to infection risk in older adults, although they have yet to be examined in relation to age.