Abstract
Search for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in body fluids other than blood is important when assessing possible nonparenteral routes of viral transmission. However, the role of oral fluids in HCV transmission remains controversial. Our aim was to compare the prevalence of HCV antibody (HCV Ab) levels in saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of HCV seropositive hemodialysis patients. Serum, saliva and GCF samples were collected from thirty-nine patients. Samples were analyzed for HCV Ab using the Ortho HCV 3.0 SAVe enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HCH Ab levels in saliva and GCF of all HCV-seropositive patients were statistically compared. Reported here are the results of the study designed to determine the correlation between HCV-RNA positivity in serum and the detection of antibodies in GCF and saliva. One hundred percent (100%) of the 39 patients have antibodies to HCV in their serum, 15.4% have antibodies to HCV in GCF, and saliva found out. HCV Ab seropositivity in GCF and saliva was significantly correlated (kappa = 0.462; P < .001). This study supports the concept that GCF may be a significant source of HCV in saliva.
Highlights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a poor prognosis for survival among dialysis patients [1]
HCV is considered essentially hepatotropic, some studies have suggested that viral replication occurs in peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell (BMC) and in the submaxillary glands [10,11,12]
There are limited studies wich have qualitatively identified HCV in Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF); HCV RNA was detected in 59% and 85% of GCF specimens from HCV patients [13, 14]
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a poor prognosis for survival among dialysis patients [1]. The detection rates of HCV RNA in various studies of saliva have ranged from 0% to 100% [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. Possible source of HCV in saliva may include serum exudate, that is, the GCF and the migration of HCV-containing mononuclear cell from periodontal inflammation at the dentogingival interface into the salivary pool. There are limited studies wich have qualitatively identified HCV in GCF; HCV RNA was detected in 59% and 85% of GCF specimens from HCV patients [13, 14]. Since the efficiency of HCV transmission is likely related to its viral load, it is important to identify quantitatively the viral RNA levels within the body fluids in order to properly evaluate possible nonparenteral routes of HCV infection. In the general population, periodontal disease is common and may influence the increase of mononuclear cell excretion in GCF [15]
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