Detection of human herpes viruses in patients with chronic and aggressive periodontitis and relationship between viruses and clinical parameters

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent microbiological researches have revealed the possible role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein barr virus (EBV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal diseases. The present pilot study has been undertaken to detect the presence of these viruses in chronic periodontitis, aggressive periodontitis, and healthy individuals and to determine the relationship between these viruses and the clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients belonging to the age group of 18 to 55 years were included. The patients were randomly assigned into periodontally healthy (sulcus depth ≤ 3 mm), chronic periodontitis, and aggressive periodontitis with pockets measuring ≥6 mm. Seventy-five subgingival plaque samples (25 samples from each group) were collected and subjected to multiplex polymerase chain reaction for the detection of presence of HCMV, EBV, HSV-1, and HSV-2. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA for multiple group comparisons followed by Student's t-test for pair-wise comparisons. Categorical data was analyzed by Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: HSV-1 was detected in 76% (P<0.001) of sites with chronic periodontitis and 80% (P<0.001) sites with aggressive periodontitis. EBV was detected in 32% (P<0.05) of sites with chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis. The probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level was statistically significant in HSV-1 detected sites compared with undetected sites in aggressive periodontitis patients CONCLUSION: Among these viruses HSV-1 and EBV were found to be significantly associated with destructive periodontal disease, including chronic and aggressive periodontitis. Further, HSV-1 was found to be associated with severity and progression of destructive periodontal disease.