Saliva Testing for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Pediatric Patients

USA: The American Dental Association Science & Research Institute (ADASRI) has joined forces with the University of North Carolina Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease to explore the potential of saliva testing as a means to monitor and predict inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) exacerbation in paediatric patients. A recent grant of $130,000 from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation will support this groundbreaking research initiative.

Saliva Testing to Jumpstart IBD Monitoring

The grant has been awarded to Kevin Matthew Byrd, D.D.S., Ph.D., the Volpe Research Scholar at ADASRI’s Lab of Oral and Craniofacial Innovation (LOCI), and Terrie Weaver, M.S., a research associate at LOCI. 

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The study seeks to harness the unique properties of saliva, which contains not only water but also microbes, proteins, mucus, and immune cells. Research indicates that the composition of immune cells in saliva changes during IBD flare-ups, potentially enabling doctors to assess disease progression more accurately and promptly.

Approximately 20 percent of the global IBD patient population, exceeding six million, is diagnosed during childhood. However, pediatric patients remain relatively understudied compared to adults. 

These young patients often experience more severe symptoms and may require surgery shortly after diagnosis. Furthermore, around 80 percent of children with IBD have oral sores or unusual inflammation in their mouths, an aspect of the disease that has received limited attention.

Bridging the Gap: Oral Health and IBD

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation awarded the grant through its Litwin IBD Pioneers initiative, aimed at supporting innovative research projects that can impact IBD treatment. The pilot program will involve the analysis of immune cells in saliva samples from up to 100 pediatric patients aged seven to 17. The goal is to assess disease management effectiveness and predict changes in symptom severity using saliva testing.

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Caren Heller, M.D., Chief Scientific Officer for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, expressed excitement about supporting ADASRI’s research. Saliva testing has the potential to revolutionise the diagnosis and management of pediatric IBD, offering a new perspective on the role of saliva in disease understanding and care.

Research Timeline and Collaboration

ADASRI, together with a team of gastrointestinal, pediatric, and oral specialists, will commence their research in September 2023. The results of this collaborative effort are expected to be shared in the summer of 2025. This innovative initiative not only holds the promise of enhancing disease monitoring but also exemplifies the potential of cross-disciplinary collaboration in advancing healthcare solutions.