Abstract
Background: The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is gaining interest as a possible agent in the etiology of periodontitis. Previous studies have shown controversy on whether EBV DNA in the subgingival periodontal pockets is associated with periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to seek the potential relationship between EBV and periodontitis. Methods: Data on socio-demographics, oral health, and periodontal health were recorded, and samples were collected from gingival crevicular fluid, using sterile paper point. This case–control study of 118 participants included 59 subjects with severe periodontitis and 59 control subjects with mild periodontitis. The EBV load was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: EBV DNA was detected in 37.3% of the case samples and in 18.6% of the control samples. There was no significant difference in the load of EBV DNA between severe and mild periodontitis (p>0.05). The observed load of EBV DNA was up to 4.55x105 copies/mL. The detected EBV DNA was significantly associated with the plaque index and the oral hygiene index (all p<0.05). Conclusions: A significant association was not found, but EBV might contribute to periodontitis. Gingival crevicular fluid is useful for monitoring the EBV load by the real-time PCR technique.
Highlights
Periodontal diseases consist of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the supporting tissue of the teeth
The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA was detected in 28.0% of all subjects, in 37.3% of cases of severe periodontitis, and in 18.6% of the control cases of mild periodontitis
No statistically significant difference in the detected EBV DNA was found between the case and control groups (Table 2)
Summary
Periodontal diseases consist of chronic inflammatory conditions that affect the supporting tissue of the teeth. Microbial communities in periodontitis compared with healthy individuals showed that the presence of bleeding was not associated with a specific microbiome total bacterial load tends to be higher in bleeding sites.[2] Periodontal breakdown is site specific, and can be explained not just by bacterial specificity or immunopathology, and by a combined herpesvirus–bacterial infection.[3] With this contribution, herpesvirus has emerged as a significant periodontal pathogen.[4] Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is one of eight herpesviruses that can cause disease in humans. Methods: Data on socio-demographics, oral health, and periodontal health were recorded, and samples were collected from gingival crevicular fluid, using sterile paper point. This case–control study of 118 participants included 59 subjects with severe periodontitis and 59 control subjects with mild periodontitis. Gingival crevicular fluid is useful for monitoring the EBV load by the real-time PCR technique
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