Detection of human viruses in patients with chronic periodontitis and the relationship between viruses and clinical parameters

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that various human viruses, especially cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus type-1 (EBV-1), and herpes simplex virus (HSV), seem to play a part in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. Little information is available on the relationship between these viruses and clinical periodontal parameters in patients with chronic periodontitis. This study examined the occurrence of HCMV, EBV-1, and HSV in patients with chronic periodontitis and the relationship between these viruses and clinical parameters. METHODS: A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method determined the presence of HCMV, EBV-1, and HSV. Subgingival plaque samples from 30 patients with chronic periodontitis and 21 randomly selected healthy controls were collected by paper points, and clinical measurements were recorded from both sampling sites and entire dentition. The following indices were measured: plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Results: HCMV was detected in 44.3% of chronic periodontitis patients and 14.3% of healthy persons (P < 0.05); EBV-1 in 16.7% of chronic periodontitis patients and 14.3% of healthy persons (P = 1.00); and HSV in 6.7% of chronic periodontitis patients and in no healthy persons. HCMV and EBV-1 detected and undetected sites in patients with periodontitis showed statistically significant differences in sampling clinical depth (SPD) and sampling clinical attachment loss (SCAL). Differences in the measurements of PI of entire dentition and GI of entire dentition between HSV detected and undetected sites were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the present study confirm the frequent presence of HCMV in crevicular samples of chronic periodontitis lesions, and suggest a strong relationship between the presence of HCMV and EBV-1 in subgingival areas and the measurements of probing depth and probing attachment loss.     

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus and human cytomegalovirus in blood and oral samples: comparison of three sampling methods

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the presence of HCMV and EBV-1 in subgingival plaque, unstimulated saliva and peripheral blood of patients with chronic periodontitis. Forty patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis (mean age, 41.7 years) were recruited. Unstimulated saliva, subgingival plaque and peripheral blood were collected from each patient and the DNA of each sample was isolated. The viruses were detected using the nested PCR technique. The detection frequency of EBV-1 in subgingival plaque, saliva and peripheral blood was 45%, 37.5% and 25%, respectively. HCMV was detected in 82.5% of subgingival plaque samples and peripheral blood and in 75% of salivary samples. The sensitivity for detecting EBV-1 in saliva and peripheral blood when EBV-1 was detected in subgingival plaque samples was low (22% and 27.7%, respectively) and the sensitivity for detecting HCMV in saliva and peripheral blood when compared to subgingival plaque was high (81.8% and 87.8%, respectively). There is a high agreement among the three sampling methods in detection of HCMV, but the detection of EBV-1 would require a combination of saliva and subgingival plaque sampling to avoid false negative results.     

Low prevalence of subgingival viruses in periodontitis patients

Background: Viruses such as Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) have been proposed to be periodontal pathogens. The aim of this study was to analyse the presence of herpesvirus DNA in subgingival plaque samples of patients with different forms of periodontitis and in healthy periodontia.
Materials and Methods: A total of 140 ethnically mixed (prevalently Caucasian) subjects took part in the study. Sixteen were affected by localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP), 64 by generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), 20 by chronic periodontitis (CP) and 40 were periodontally healthy. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were performed to detect HCMV and EBV. Sera were tested for anti-HCMV and EBV IgG antibodies. PCRs for herpes simplex (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) were performed in subgingival samples from a subset of 20 AgP subjects.
Results: HCMV DNA was not detected in any plaque samples. EBV DNA was detected in four LAgP (25%), two GAgP (3%) subjects and four healthy individuals (10%). HSV DNA and VZV DNA were not detected in the subset of studied individuals.
Conclusions: This study challenges the previously reported high prevalence of herpesvirus DNA in subgingival samples from periodontitis patients and so questions whether they act as pathogens in such patients.     

伴放线放线杆菌在龈下菌斑和颊黏膜分布研究

目的:比较伴放线放线杆菌(actinobac illus actinomycetem com itans,A.a)在不同类型牙周炎患者龈下菌斑和颊黏膜中的分布。方法:通过聚合酶链反应(polym erase chain reaction,PCR)对侵袭性牙周炎患者(AgP)、慢性牙周炎患者(CP)、牙周健康者口腔龈下菌斑和颊黏膜中的A.a进行检测,分析该菌分别在两部位的相对含量。结果:AgP组菌斑和颊黏膜样本中A.a阳性检出率均为41.7%,分别高于CP组(菌斑16.7%、颊黏膜10.0%)和牙周健康组(菌斑和颊黏膜均为0%)。AgP组A.a在菌斑和颊黏膜的相对含量分别为38.5%和22.2%,高于CP组(菌斑19%、颊黏膜12.75%)。结论:A.a不仅存在于龈下菌斑中,也能够粘附于颊黏膜;A.a是AgP的主要优势菌也参与了CP的菌群组成。     

侵袭性牙周炎与慢性牙周炎病变位点中人巨细胞病毒的定量检测

目的 应用实时荧光定量PCR方法 检测侵袭性牙周炎(AgP)及慢性牙周炎(CP)患者龈下样本中人巨细胞病毒(HCMV)的DNA载量,探讨HCMV感染与牙周炎之间的关系.方法 选择18例AgP患者、24例CP患者及15例牙周健康对照者,收集龈下样本114例.构建含有HCMV高保守片段的重组质粒,制备标准品DNA模板,建立...     

Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus in periodontal pockets and the adjacent gingiva of periodontitis lesions

BACKGROUND: Genomic sequences of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), two herpesviruses, can frequently be detected in periodontal pockets of progressive periodontitis lesions, but the prevalence and load of the two viruses in gingival tissue are unknown. This study determined levels of HCMV and EBV DNA in the periodontal pocket and in the adjacent gingiva of periodontitis lesions using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 systemically healthy periodontitis patients participated in the study. Nine patients below 35 years of age were tentatively diagnosed as having aggressive (early onset) periodontitis, and 11 patients 36-56 years of age as having chronic (adult) periodontitis. Clinical parameters were evaluated using established methods. Using periodontal curettes, specimens were harvested from 6-10 mm periodontal pockets and from the adjacent inflamed periodontal pocket wall. A 5'-nuclease (TaqMan) real-time PCR assay was used to identify and quantify genomic copies of periodontal HCMV and EBV. RESULTS: HCMV DNA was detected in 78% of subgingival and 33% of gingival tissue samples from aggressive periodontitis lesions, but only in 46% of subgingival and 9% of gingival tissue samples from chronic periodontitis lesions. In aggressive periodontitis, HCMV subgingival and gingival tissue counts were positively correlated with periodontal pocket depth and probing attachment loss at sample sites (p6 mm, but none of 14 patients having mean pocket depth at sample teeth相似文献   

Herpes viruses and periodontopathic bacteria in early-onset periodontitis

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the occurrence of human herpes viruses and suspected periodontopathic bacteria in early-onset periodontitis patients who experienced progressive disease in at least 2 periodontal sites during the maintenance phase of therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In each of 16 individuals (9 male and 7 female; mean age 33.1+/-2.6 years), subgingival plaque samples were collected from 2 deteriorating and 2 stable periodontitis sites. A nested polymerase chain reaction method determined the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). A 16s rRNA polymerase chain reaction method identified Porphyromonas gingivalis, Dialister pneumosintes, Bacteroides forsythus and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. RESULTS: HCMV was detected in 59.4% of active and in 12.5% of stable sites (p<0.001), EBV-1 in 43.8% of active and in 12.5 % of stable sites (p=0.01), HSV in 34.5% of active and in 9.4% of stable sites (p=0.03), and co-infection with any of the 3 test herpesviruses in 43.8% of active and in 3.1% of stable sites (p<0.001). P. gingivalis was detected in 71.9% of active and in 37.5% of stable sites (p=0.01), D. pneumosintes in 62.5% of active and in 18.8% of stable sites (p=0.04), co-infection with P. gingivalis and D. pneumosintes in 50% of active and in 0% of stable sites (p<0.001), and co-infection with any 3 or 4 of the test bacteria in 40.6% of active and in 0% of stable sites (p=0.001). All periodontitis sites showing herpesvirus co-infection and all but one site showing P. gingivalis and D. pneumosintes co-infection revealed bleeding upon probing. CONCLUSIONS: HCMV, EBV-1, HSV and herpesvirus co-infection, as well as P. gingivalis, D. pneumosintes and P. gingivalis-D. pneumosintes co-infection were statistically associated with active periodontitis. Herpesviruses are immunosuppressive and may set the stage for overgrowth of subgingival P. gingivalis, D. pneumosintes and other periodontopathic bacteria. Understanding the significance of herpesviruses in human periodontitis may allow for improved diagnosis, more specific therapy and, ultimately, disease prevention.     

侵袭性牙周炎病原微生物的检测

目的检测侵袭性牙周炎（AgP）患者和牙周健康者龈下菌斑中的7种病原微生物,旨在寻找AgP的主要致病微生物.方法应用以16S rRNA为基础的聚合酶链反应（PCR）技术,检测55例AgP患者和17名健康对照者龈下菌斑中的7种牙周病原微生物：伴放线放线杆菌（Aa）,牙龈卟啉单胞菌（Pg）,福赛坦氏菌（Tf）,牙密螺旋体（Td）,直肠弯曲杆菌（Cr）,中间普氏菌（Pi）,变黑普氏菌（Pn）.结果55例AgP患者中仅有1例检测出Aa,而在健康对照者中未检出该菌.Pg、Tf、Td和Cr在AgP组的检出率分别为81.8%、83.6%、80.0%和81.8%,显著高于健康对照者（17.6%、11.8%、5.9%、29.4%）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.结论Pd、Tf、Td和Cr 4种微生物在AgP患者中有较高的检出率,提示它们的共同定植可能在AgP中起重要作用.     

Relationship between herpesviruses and periodontopathogens in patients with HIV and periodontitis

Background: The purpose of the present study is to verify a possible association between herpesviruses and periodontal pathogens in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and periodontitis. Methods: Twenty‐seven patients with HIV and chronic periodontitis and 23 patients with HIV and gingivitis were included in the study. Probing depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival index, and plaque index were recorded. Blood, saliva, and subgingival plaque were processed for viral and bacterial identification. Bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA‐based polymerase chain reaction and viruses by the nested polymerase chain reaction. Results: For the chronic periodontitis group, Epstein‐Barr (EBV)‐1 (70.4%) and Tannerella forsythia (Tf) (51.8%) presented higher detection in subgingival plaque and saliva (81.5% and 40.7%, respectively) than in blood (22% and 0%, respectively) (P <0.005 and P <0.0001, respectively). Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) was more frequent in subgingival plaque (77.7%; P <0.0001). In the gingivitis group, Pg and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) presented higher frequency in subgingival plaque (95.6% and 91.3%, respectively; P <0.0001 and P = 0.004). Tf and EBV‐1 were detected more frequently in subgingival plaque (47.8% and 78.3%, respectively) and saliva (52.2% and 52.2%, respectively; P = 0.004 and P <0.005) than in blood. EBV‐1, EBV‐1–HCMV, and presence of different viruses presented an association with periodontitis in saliva. Conclusions: No association was detected for herpesviruses and periodontal pathogens in patients who are HIV‐positive with periodontitis. EBV‐1 and coinfection (EBV‐1–HCMV) were associated with patients who are HIV‐positive with periodontitis.     

Human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus type 1 in periodontal abscesses

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have linked herpesviruses to severe types of periodontal disease, but no information exists on their relationship to periodontal abscesses. The present study determined the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) in periodontal abscesses and the effect of treatment on the subgingival occurrence of these viruses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen adults with periodontal abscesses participated in the study. Subgingival samples were collected from each patient with sterile curettes from an abscess-affected site and a healthy control site. HCMV and EBV-1 were identified by polymerase chain reaction at the time of the abscess and at 4 months after surgical and systemic doxycycline therapy. RESULTS: HCMV was detected in 66.7% of periodontal abscess sites and in 5.6% of healthy sites (P=0.002). EBV-1 occurred in 72.2% of abscess sites but not in any healthy site (P<0.001). HCMV and EBV-1 co-infection was identified in 55.6% of the abscess sites. Posttreatment, HCMV and EBV-1 were not found in any study site. CONCLUSIONS: HCMV and EBV-1 genomes are commonly found in periodontal abscesses. These data favor a model in which a herpesvirus infection of the periodontium impairs the host defense and serves as a platform for the entrance of bacterial pathogens into gingival tissue with subsequent risk of abscess development.     

牙周炎患者唾液中伴放线放线杆菌的检出状况分析

目的 检测不同类型牙周炎患者唾液中的伴放线放线杆菌(Actinobacillusactinomycetemcomitans,Aa),探讨唾液和集合龈下菌斑中Aa检出率的差异以及唾液中Aa的存在状况与牙周临床指标的关系. 方法 收集50例侵袭性牙周炎(aggressive periodontitis,AgP)患者、48例慢性牙周炎(chronic periedontitis,CP)患者和25例非牙周炎者的非刺激性全唾液和集合龈下菌斑,应用聚合酶链反应(PcR)技术检测两种样本中的Aa. 结果 Aa在AgP患者唾液中的检出率(32%)显著高于非牙周炎者(4%)和CP患者(15%),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01,P<0.05),同时Aa在AgP患者唾液中的检出率也显著高于集合龈下菌斑样本(16%),差异亦有统计学意义(P<0.05).年龄≤30岁是唾液中存在Aa的危险指征(OR=3.23,P<0.05);出血指数≥3的位点超过70%与唾液中存在Aa有关(OR=19.21,P<0.01). 结论 AgP患者唾液样本中Aa的检出率明显高于集合龈下菌斑样本,亦高于CP患者和非牙周炎者,提示Aa可能参与AgP的发生和发展.     

Mammalian viruses in human periodontitis

A prior investigation has demonstrated a higher prevalence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in subgingival specimens from periodontitis patients than from gingivitis patients. This study aimed to determine the frequency of HCMV, EBV-1, EBV-2, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in subgingival samples from 27 adults who each contributed both a periodontitis and a gingivitis site. Viral detection was performed using a nested-polymerase chain reaction method. Twenty-four subjects (89%) yielded at least one of the five test viruses from deep periodontal pockets, wheras only 15 (56%) showed viruses from shallow periodontal sites ( P =0.015; chi-square test). Viral co-infection occurred more frequently in deep than in shallow periodontal sites ( P =0.015). HCMV was detected with higher frequency in deep than in shallow periodontal sites ( P =0.023). The possible periodontopathogenic mechanisms of mammalian viruses in human periodontitis are discussed. The role and importance of HCMV and other mammalian viruses in the initiation and progression of destructive periodontal disease merits further investigation.     

EBV-1 and HCMV in aggressive periodontitis in Brazilian patients

The purpose of the present investigation was to compare the presence of Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) and of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in crevicular fluid samples from deep and shallow periodontal pocket sites of Brazilian patients with aggressive periodontitis. A total of 30 systemically healthy patients with aggressive periodontitis participated in the study. Paper points were inserted into 2 gingivitis sites (<3 mm) and into 2 periodontitis sites (>5 mm) in each patient. PCR assay was used to identify genomic copies of HCMV and EBV-1. Twenty-three patients (77%) were positive for EBV-1, while only 2 patients (6%) were positive for HCMV. The McNemar test revealed a positive association between EBV-1 and periodontal lesions (p=0.043). Thirty-four (57%) out of 60 periodontitis sites were positive for EBV-1, whereas 18 (30%) gingivitis sites were positive (p=0.01). Only two sites (6.7%) were positive for HCMV. No positive association was found between HCMV and periodontitis or gingivitis (p=0.479). The elevated occurrence of EBV-1 DNA in periodontal pockets of patients with aggressive periodontitis supports a possible periodontopathic role of this virus.     

Microbial Analysis of Subgingival Plaque Samples Compared to That of Whole Saliva in Patients With Periodontitis

Background: The detection of special bacterial species in patients with periodontitis is considered to be useful for clinical diagnosis and treatment. The collection of subgingival plaque samples is the common way for the determination of periodontopathic bacteria. However, recently, salivary analysis has been discussed as an advantageous future diagnostic method for periodontitis because it offers simple quantitative sampling and the possibility to assess various bacteria. The aim of this cross‐sectional study is to investigate whether there is a correlation between the results of different bacterial species in saliva and subgingival plaque samples from individuals with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: Whole saliva and subgingival plaque samples from the deepest pocket of each quadrant were collected from 43 patients with CP and 33 patients with AgP. Twenty different bacterial species from both samplings were determined by the 16S ribosomal RNA‐based polymerase chain reaction with microarray technique. Results: All bacterial species were detected in salivary and subgingival plaque samples. For Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia, as well as Actinomyces viscosus, Campylobacter rectus/showae, Prevotella intermedia, Parvimonas micra, Eubacterium nodatum, and Campylobacter gracilis, a significant positive correlation between salivary and subgingival plaque samples was detected in patients with both types of periodontitis. There were no significant differences in bacteria in salivary and subgingival plaque samples between AgP and CP. Conclusion: Salivary analysis might be discussed as a potential alternative to subgingival plaque sampling for microbiologic analysis in both AgP and CP.     

Herpesviral-bacterial interrelationships in aggressive periodontitis

BACKGROUND: Recent findings have begun to provide a basis for a causal link between herpesviruses and aggressive periodontitis. One theory is that herpesviruses cooperate with specific bacteria in the etiopathogenesis of the disease. This study examined whether the presence of herpesviruses [human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) type 1, herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and 2] is associated with the presence of putative pathogenic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Campylobacter rectus, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) in aggressive periodontitis lesions. METHODS: The study included 18 young adults with advanced periodontitis and 16 periodontally healthy subjects from Ankara, Turkey. Subgingival specimens pooled from two sites in each subject were collected by a periodontal curette. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction methodology was used to identify herpesviruses and bacteria. Chi-square tests were employed to determine statistical associations among herpesviruses, bacteria and periodontal disease. RESULTS: HCMV, EBV-1 and HSV-1 were each detected in 72-78% of the aggressive periodontitis patients. HSV-2 occurred in 17% of the periodontitis patients. EBV-1 was detected in one periodontally healthy subject. The study bacteria occurred in 78-83% (P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, C. rectus) and in 44% (P. intermedia, A. actinomycetemcomitans) of the periodontitis samples, and in 0-19% of the samples from healthy periodontal sites. HCMV, EBV-1 and HSV-1 were positively associated with P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, T. forsythia and C. rectus, but not with A. actinomycetemcomitans. HSV-2 was not associated with any test bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the notion that the clinical outcome of some types of severe periodontal infection depends on the presence of specific herpesviruses and bacterial pathogens. Our findings open the door to testing a variety of hypotheses regarding the deleterious aspects of combined herpesviral-bacterial infections in periodontal sites.     

Real-time PCR quantification of cytomegalovirus in aggressive periodontitis lesions using TaqMan technology

BACKGROUND: Herpesviruses are implicated in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. However, the quantity of herpesviruses in periodontal sites remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare levels of subgingival human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in aggressive periodontitis patients and in periodontally healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 16 consecutive subjects with aggressive periodontitis and 15 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Subgingival specimens were collected by a periodontal curette. TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to quantify HCMV. RESULTS: HCMV was detected in 68.8% of aggressive periodontitis lesions but not in any of the periodontally healthy study sites. HCMV viral load in positive subgingival specimens ranged from 5 x 10(2) to 7.4 x 10(3) copies/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The TaqMan real-time PCR technology seems to provide a rapid and sensitive method for quantifying HCMV in periodontal pockets. The present findings confirm the frequent presence of HCMV in aggressive periodontitis lesions. Determining HCMV levels in different types of periodontitis may help elucidate the periodontopathic role of the virus and advance our understanding of the disease pathogenesis.     

Herpesviruses and periodontopathic bacteria in Trisomy 21 periodontitis

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease in Trisomy 21 patients. This study determined the occurrence of herpesviruses and putative periodontopathic bacteria in Trisomy 21 periodontitis. METHODS: Nineteen Trisomy 21 patients (17 to 37 years of age) contributed subgingival samples from molar and bicuspid teeth presenting interproximal periodontitis lesions (probing depths, 5 to 8 mm) and from shallow periodontal sites (probing depths, 1 to 3 mm). Samples were obtained at baseline, and at 1 and 4 weeks after subgingival debridement by means of hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers. Epstein-Barr virus type 1 and 2 (EBV-1 and EBV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) were identified by sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction. Putative periodontopathic bacteria were identified by means of non-selective and selective culture. RESULTS: Of 19 Trisomy 21 periodontitis lesions, 6 (32%) were positive for EBV-1, 5 (26%) were positive for HCMV, 3 (16%) were positive for HSV, and 2 (11%) showed viral co-infection. Of 19 shallow periodontal sites, only one revealed HCMV. Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus, and Capnocytophaga species were detected in higher proportions in deep than in shallow periodontal pockets (P = 0.02). Subgingival debridement did not reduce genomic herpesvirus presence but caused a decrease in proportions of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Capnocytophaga species. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal herpesvirus-bacteria coinfections may play important roles in the pathogenesis of destructive periodontal disease in Trisomy 21 patients. Herpesviruses may reduce the periodontal defense and promote growth of subgingival bacteria capable of causing periodontal breakdown.     

Subgingival human cytomegalovirus correlates with increased clinical periodontal parameters and bacterial coinfection in periodontitis

BACKGROUND: Viruses from the Herpesviridae family may be implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. The aim of this investigation was to compare the subgingival frequency of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in subjects affected by periodontitis to periodontally healthy subjects and to assess the correlation of HCMV with periodontal clinical parameters and periodontopathic bacteria. METHODS: Thirty subjects with periodontitis (20 with chronic periodontitis and 10 with aggressive periodontitis) were included in the study. A group of 22 periodontally healthy individuals served as controls. Clinical periodontal parameters of probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded using a computerized periodontal probe. Subgingival plaque samples were processed for viral identification by nested polymerase chain reaction and bacterial identification by culture. Clinical periodontal parameters, frequency of detection of HCMV, and microbial composition were compared between the groups using the two-tailed Student t, chi(2), and Mann-Whitney tests. Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to measure the association between virus-bacterial coinfection and clinical parameters (P < or =0.05). RESULTS: HCMV detection was more prevalent (P < or =0.05) in periodontally diseased subjects compared to healthy ones. Furthermore, in all groups, PD and CAL were increased in HCMV-positive sites. In the periodontitis groups, higher frequencies and levels of specific periodontopathic bacteria were detected in HCMV-positive sites. CONCLUSIONS: HCMV detection in periodontal pockets was associated with higher levels of periodontopathic bacteria and increased PD and CAL at sampled sites. HCMV/bacteria coinfection may be an important factor in periodontal destruction.     

The herpesvirus-Porphyromonas gingivalis-periodontitis axis

OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND: Members of the herpesvirus family have accumulated considerable support for a role in severe types of periodontitis. This study aimed to examine whether human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) or herpes simplex virus (HSV) together with the major periodontopathic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis might interact in the pathogenesis of periodontal breakdown. METHODS: Sixteen subjects each contributed paper point samples from two progressing and two stable periodontitis lesions, as determined by ongoing loss of probing attachment. Polymerase chain reaction methodology was used to identify subgingival herpesviruses, P. gingivalis and other bacterial pathogens. Chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression were employed to identify statistical associations between herpesviruses, periodontopathic bacteria and clinical variables. RESULTS: HCMV and HSV were both significant predictors of the presence of subgingival P. gingivalis. In turn, P. gingivalis was positively associated with periodontitis active disease, probing attachment level, probing pocket depth, gingival bleeding upon probing and patient age. EBV-1 was not linked to P. gingivalis, although the virus was predictive of periodontitis active disease. The periodontitis disease risk associated with herpesvirus-P. gingivalis combinations depended on both site-specific and subject-specific factors. CONCLUSION: The present data of aggressive periodontitis implicate HCMV, HSV and P. gingivalis as either cofactors in its etiology or triggers of relapses. Further studies are needed to determine the spectrum of periodontopathogenicity of herpesviruses and effective management of these viruses in periodontal sites.     

Immunoglobulin G subclass antibody profiles in Porphyromonas gingivalis-associated aggressive and chronic periodontitis patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response is considered to be protective and beneficial for the control of periodontal lesions. This study analysed IgG subclass antibody levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with both aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and chronic periodontitis (CP). METHODS: Subgingival plaque and peripheral blood samples were collected from patients with localized AgP (n = 13), generalized AgP (n = 28) and generalized CP (n = 27) and from 14 periodontally healthy controls. P. gingivalis was identified in subgingival pockets using a polymerase chain reaction. Simultaneously, serum IgG subclass antibody against P. gingivalis whole cells/P. gingivalis fimbriae were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: P. gingivalis was frequently detected in periodontitis patients. Anti-P. gingivalis whole cell IgG1 was elevated in all P. gingivalis-positive patients in the three periodontitis groups. Although increased anti-P. gingivalis IgG1 was also observed in the bacterium-positive healthy controls, the level was lower than that found in the three periodontitis groups. Levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 to P. gingivalis did not differ among bacterium-positive patients in the three periodontitis groups; a significant increase of IgG2 level was not observed in localized AgP. Anti-fimbriae IgG subclass levels of IgG1, IgG2 and IgG4 did not differ among bacterium-positive subjects in all groups, while the anti-fimbriae IgG3 level in generalized CP was significantly higher than that in localized and generalized AgP. CONCLUSIONS: P. gingivalis infection elicited an IgG subclass antibody response in both periodontitis patients and healthy subjects, while higher anti-P. gingivalis IgG1 levels were found in the three periodontitis groups compared with the healthy control group.