Salivary Cortisol Associated with Increasing Mutans streptococci Count in Drug Abuser

 The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between salivary cortisol levels and the viable count of mutans streptococci in drug abusers.

 The study was conducted from March 2022 to May 2022 and included 86 participants aged between 17 to 30 years, who were equally divided into two groups:  cases (n= 43) and controls (n= 43). All participants underwent a urine drug line test to confirm their drug use status. Saliva was collected, and centrifuged at 3000 for 10 min, and the supernatant was stored at -20°C for later estimation of salivary cortisol levels using a Cobas device. The viable count of Mutans streptococci was determined using an identification and culturing method to calculate the colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml).

The drug abusers exhibited a significantly higher concentration of salivary cortisol as compared to the control group. In addition, the cases showed a positive correlation between salivary cortisol levels and the count of Mutans Streptococci. In contrast, the control group demonstrated a negative and non-significant relationship.

 The data from the current study indicated a higher concentration of salivary cortisol associated with an increasing count of Mutans streptococci compared to the control group.