Relationship between Herpes simplex Virus Type-1 and Candida albicans in Pregnant Women with Aphthous Stomatitis in the oral cavity

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed to show the relationship between Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and Candida albicans, and to determine HSV-1 antigen in saliva of aphthous stomatitis patients by immunoflourescent (IF), as well as to determine HSV-1 antibodies immunoglobulin G (IgG) in saliva samples by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)test ,in addition to study concentration of the total salivary protein. Materials and methods: Sixty pregnant women with aphthae and thirty healthy control subjects were included in the study. Saliva samples were taken from all the subjects and examined by direct IF and ELISA, and using the saliva swab samples for isolation of Candida albicans .The isolated colonies were identified by germ tube formation, growth at 45 oC, and measuring the total salivary protein. Results: The results of the present study showed that aphthous were most prevalent at age group(26-30) years. The most commonly affected mucosa are the labial mucosa, buccal mucosa, tongue, and rarely the soft palate and floor of the mouth. Positive IF results were observed in 53.33% in patients and 6.67% in healthy control, while in ELISA, the positive results were found to be 63.33% in patients and 6.67% in control subjects. There was significant difference between anti HSV-1 IgG Abs and total salivary protein. Conclusion: the present study show there was no difference between Candida albicans and HSV-1 .The present study indicated that HSV-1 was detected serologically in saliva of patients by ELISA and IF method .The results revealed positive association between HSV-1 and aphthous, and the virus may play a role in the occurrence of the aphthous. Saliva is regarded as a transudate of the serum and it contains the same antibodies as serum, and a similar range of IgG antibodies, but at a much lower concentration and it's easily available and simply examined. The total salivary protein may play a role in the defense against the virus.