Saliva contains factors that inhibit infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro. One of these factors was recently identified as secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a salivary protein which blocked HIV-1 infectivity of monocytes and primary T cells at physiologic concentrations (J Clin Invest 1995; 96: 456). Here, we confirm and extend the original report by demonstrating that SLPI protects primary monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells against infection with HIV-1 Ba-L, IIIB and NL4-3. Thus, SLPI may provide a natural barrier against oral transmission of HIV-1.