Abstract
The oral cavity contributes to overall health, psychosocial well-being and quality of human life. Oral inflammatory diseases represent a major global health problem with significant social and economic impact. The development of effective therapies, therefore, requires deeper insights into the etiopathogenesis of oral diseases. Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection results in a life-long persistence of the virus in the host and has been associated with numerous oral inflammatory diseases including oral lichen planus (OLP), periodontal disease and Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). There is considerable evidence that the EBV infection is a strong risk factor for the development and progression of these conditions, but is EBV a true pathogen? This long-standing EBV paradox yet needs to be solved. This review discusses novel viral aspects of the etiopathogenesis of non-tumorigenic diseases in the oral cavity, in particular, the contribution of EBV in OLP, periodontitis and SS, the tropism of EBV infection, the major players involved in the etiopathogenic mechanisms and emerging contribution of EBV-pathogenic bacteria bidirectional interaction. It also proposes the involvement of EBV-infected plasma cells in the development and progression of oral inflammatory diseases. A new direction for preventing and treating these conditions may focus on controlling pathogenic EBV with anti-herpetic drugs.
Highlights
With all due respect to microbial flora, the mouth is home to the second most diverse microbial community in the human body, housing a variety of microbes, including bacteria, viruses and fungi [1]
This review discusses novel viral aspects of the etiopathogenesis of non-tumorigenic diseases in the oral cavity, in particular, the contribution of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in oral inflammatory diseases, the tropism of EBV infection and the major players involved in the etiopathogenic mechanisms
Slots [2] pointed out those features: (i) episodic progressive nature; (ii) localized pattern of tissue destruction; (iii) periodontitis of many subjects affects relatively few teeth despite the ubiquitousness of periodontopathic bacteria in saliva; (iv) alveolar bone destruction of certain teeth while adjacent teeth remain untouched; (v) surface treatments to eliminate dental plaque can only stabilize the disease, but do not result in the cure; (vi) reappearance of the disease occurs after antibiotic therapy; (vii) antiviral treatments significantly improve the clinical outcomes of the periodontal condition [61,62]
Summary
With all due respect to microbial flora, the mouth is home to the second most diverse microbial community in the human body, housing a variety of microbes, including bacteria, viruses and fungi [1]. The bacteria and fungi responsible for the most common oral diseases are better known, while viruses have a more questionable reputation. The present review will be focused on Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), a herpesvirus showing a typical oral ecology and commonly found in most inflammatory oral lesions. This viral infection, usually considered as a benign infection in most healthy individuals, is associated with various malignancies, functional abnormalities of immunity and oral diseases [11,12,13].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call