Detection of specific IgG and IgA anti Epstein-Barr virus in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients and healthy subjects

Abstract

Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that extends into the tissues supporting the teeth. Recent studies have demonstrated that various human herpesviruses especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play a part in the pathogenesis of human chronic periodontitis. This study aimed to detect anti EBV IgG and IgA in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients and healthy control subjects by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and to determine the differences between males and females regarding the periodontal condition and the levels of anti EBV IgG and IgA . Materials and methods: The study sample consisted of sixty chronic periodontitis patients of both gender (32 males and 28 females) and thirty healthy control subjects of both gender (16 males and 14 females) with age ranged from 30 to 50 years. Both groups without any systemic disease. Periodontal parameters used in this study were plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from all subjects and examined by ELISA test for EBV IgG and IgA antibodies detection. Results: The results of the present study observed that there was no significant difference of PLI and GI between males and females in chronic periodntitis patients. Concerning BOP the number of bleeding sites in females was more than in males. For PPD and CAL, there was increased PPD with its different scores (0, 1, 2) in males compared with females and there was increased CAL with its different scales (scales 0, 1, 2, 3) in males than females. The percentage of control group who were positive for anti- EBV IgG was (36.7%) and in chronic periodontitis was ( 81.7%). Concerning IgA, 40.0% of healthy group and 68.3% of chronic periodontitis patients showed a positive reaction for anti- EBV IgA . Conclusions: The present study showed that EBV Abs (IgG and IgA) were detectable in saliva from healthy individuals but they were significantly more frequently found in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients. The present study showed that there was no significant gender difference regarding the salivary level of anti- EBV IgG and IgA. Keyword: chronic periodontitis, EBV, IgG,IgA. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2011; 23(sp. issue):125-128).