HUMAN Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in Periodontitis: Clinical Implication and BIOLOGICAL Effects

Objective: the purpose of this study was first to correlate clinical periodontal parameters in relation to HCMV infection and to analyze the biological effects of HCMV infection in gingival fibroblasts.

Methods: Subgingival plaque and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained from 44 periodontitis (37 ChP, 7 AgP) and 24 non-periodontitis individuals. Periodontopathic bacteria were detected by culture while HCMV was detected by nested PCR and quantified by real time PCR. Gingival fibroblasts (GF) were infected with the HCMV Towne strain and the expression of mRNA for collagen I-III, IL1b and TNFa was analyzed at 0, 24 and 72 hours. In addition, the production of IL1b and TNFa was studied in the supernatant using an antibody protein array.

Results: the prevalence of HCMV was 79.5% in periodontitis patients as compared to 25% in control subjects (P<0.05). HCMV was cultured from GCF in one periodontitis patient. Probing depth and clinical attachment level were increased at HCMV+ sites in periodontitis subjects (P<0.05). Bleeding on probing was increased in HCMV+ subjects. The mean number of HCMV copies was 605,3 c/mL in periodontitis subjects vs. 6.45E-04 c/mL in control individuals. The frequency detection (%) and levels (counts x 10E5) of P.gingivalis, E.corrodens, Campylobacter spp., P.intermedia / nigrescens and Enteric rods were elevated in HCMV+ periodontitis samples. HCMV infection in GF resulted in a decrease in mRNA expression for collagen I and III over time. mRNA expression for IL1b was increased at 72 hours was comparable to supernatant levels. In contrast, TNFa mRNA expression was increased at 24 hours while the highest production in supernatant was observed at 72 hours.

Conclusions: HCMV infection was correlated to worse clinical parameter in HCMV + periodontitis subjects. Alterations in GF biology by HCMV infection and in co-infection with periodontopathic bacteria may help explain periodontal destruction.