Oral and Salivary Biomarkers Associated With Stroke

This observational study aims to investigate associations between oral and salivary biomarkers and stroke. Adults with stroke and healthy controls will undergo clinical oral assessment and unstimulated saliva collection. Salivary inflammatory biomarkers and oral bacterial profiles will be analyzed, including detection of Streptococcus mutans and the cnm gene by PCR/qPCR. The study will explore associations between these biomarkers and stroke status.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 90 years. * Patients diagnosed with stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) confirmed by clinical and imaging criteria for the stroke group. * Healthy volunteers without a history of stroke or cerebrovascular disease for the control group. * Ability to provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * inflammatory disease at the time of sampling. * Chronic autoimmune or malignant disease. * Recent major surgery or trauma within the last 3 months. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Inability or refusal to provide saliva samples.