Detection of Epstein-Barr virus and human cytomegalovirus in blood and oral samples: comparison of three sampling methods.

The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the presence of HCMV and EBV-1 in subgingival plaque, unstimulated saliva and peripheral blood of patients with chronic periodontitis. Forty patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis (mean age, 41.7 years) were recruited. Unstimulated saliva, subgingival plaque and peripheral blood were collected from each patient and the DNA of each sample was isolated. The viruses were detected using the nested PCR technique. The detection frequency of EBV-1 in subgingival plaque, saliva and peripheral blood was 45%, 37.5% and 25%, respectively. HCMV was detected in 82.5% of subgingival plaque samples and peripheral blood and in 75% of salivary samples. The sensitivity for detecting EBV-1 in saliva and peripheral blood when EBV-1 was detected in subgingival plaque samples was low (22% and 27.7%, respectively) and the sensitivity for detecting HCMV in saliva and peripheral blood when compared to subgingival plaque was high (81.8% and 87.8%, respectively). There is a high agreement among the three sampling methods in detection of HCMV, but the detection of EBV-1 would require a combination of saliva and subgingival plaque sampling to avoid false negative results.

Influence of the microgap in the peri-implant hard and soft tissues: a histomorphometric study in dogs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the dimensions and relationships of the peri-implant tissues surrounding osseointegrated 2-stage implants placed at different depths in bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four implants were placed in the mandibles of 4 mongrel dogs. A modification of the surgical protocol was introduced so that in group I, implants remained 1 mm above the bone crest, in group II, implants were placed level with the bone crest; and group III implants were countersunk to approximately 1 mm below the bone crest. After 3 months, abutment operations were carried out with the placement of 3-mm standard abutments. Following a healing period of 3 months the dogs were sacrificed. A total of 20 implants were available for histometric analysis. Non-decalcified sections were evaluated for the dimensions of the junctional epithelium, connective tissue band, marginal bone level, and bone-to-metal contact. RESULTS: Histologic observations showed a mucosal barrier consisting of keratinized oral epithelium continuous with a thin junctional epithelium facing the implant and abutment surface. Junctional epithelium showed a mean of 1.67 mm for group 1, 1.93 mm for group II, and 2.78 mm for group III. These values were not statistically different. The band of connective tissue had a mean of 1.13 mm for group 1, 0.92 mm for group II, and 1.60 mm for group III. These values were not statistically different, except for group II versus group III. Bone level had a mean of 2.50 mm for group 1, 2.30 mm for group II, and 1.60 mm for group III. These differences were significant between groups I and III. The surface of bone contact along the implant (BMC%) showed mean values of 46.8% in group 1, 53.7% in group II, and 49.0% in group III (no significant differences among the 3 groups). DISCUSSION: There was a clear tendency of the epithelium and connective tissue to be longer the deeper the implants were placed, although those differences were not statistically significant. Bone loss was smaller for group III (countersink group). This is not in accordance with recent articles which have stated that bone will maintain its biologic width. CONCLUSIONS: When the microgap between implants and abutments was placed deeper in the bone, additional bone loss did not result.

Relationship between herpesviruses and periodontopathogens in patients with HIV and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study is to verify a possible association between herpesviruses and periodontal pathogens in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and periodontitis. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with HIV and chronic periodontitis and 23 patients with HIV and gingivitis were included in the study. Probing depth, clinical attachment loss, gingival index, and plaque index were recorded. Blood, saliva, and subgingival plaque were processed for viral and bacterial identification. Bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction and viruses by the nested polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: For the chronic periodontitis group, Epstein-Barr (EBV)-1 (70.4%) and Tannerella forsythia (Tf) (51.8%) presented higher detection in subgingival plaque and saliva (81.5% and 40.7%, respectively) than in blood (22% and 0%, respectively) (P <0.005 and P <0.0001, respectively). Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) was more frequent in subgingival plaque (77.7%; P <0.0001). In the gingivitis group, Pg and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) presented higher frequency in subgingival plaque (95.6% and 91.3%, respectively; P <0.0001 and P = 0.004). Tf and EBV-1 were detected more frequently in subgingival plaque (47.8% and 78.3%, respectively) and saliva (52.2% and 52.2%, respectively; P = 0.004 and P <0.005) than in blood. EBV-1, EBV-1-HCMV, and presence of different viruses presented an association with periodontitis in saliva. CONCLUSIONS: No association was detected for herpesviruses and periodontal pathogens in patients who are HIV-positive with periodontitis. EBV-1 and coinfection (EBV-1-HCMV) were associated with patients who are HIV-positive with periodontitis.