The impact of dental surgery on HSV-1 reactivation in the oral mucosa of seropositive patients.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a member of the human herpes virus family. Most of the population (90%) has antibodies to HSV-1, and as many as 40% of these individuals may develop secondary herpes. Shedding of HSV-1 in the oral mucosa can be induced by many factors, including stress, sunlight, menstruation, and physical trauma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of dental surgical procedures on HSV-1 shedding in the oral mucosa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The case group comprised 48 patients undergoing third molar extraction (case group) and 48 patients undergoing conventional restorative procedures (control group). All of the patients were IgG-positive for HSV-1. Oral swabs were performed before and 1 week after the procedures to investigate HSV-1 reactivation by nested polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The frequency of positive oral swabs to HSV-1 in the group that underwent surgery (4.2%) was not statistically different from that in the control group (2.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that oral surgical trauma does not have a significant impact on HSV-1 shedding in the oral mucosa.