Prevalence of herpesviruses in periodontal disease of the North Indian population: A pilot study

Introduction: Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease of diverse microbiome, predominantly bacterial. Bacterial infection alone may not explain complete pathophysiology and clinical variations in disease pattern. Concept of herpesviruses playing a significant role in periodontal pathogenesis has been explored globally. Studies show varied results and difference may be accounted to variations existing in studied populations. The present study explored the prevalence of herpesviruses in periodontal disease of the North Indian population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, tissue samples were collected from the normal gingiva (control: n = 48) and deepest pocket (cases: n = 48) using a single curette stroke. Periodontal disease status was assessed through the gingival index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level which were compared to viral marker positivity. Results: Ninety samples from 48 healthy gingiva and 48 periodontitis patients were assessed between the age range of 17-60 years. The prevalence of cytomegalovirus was 2.083% (cases) and 2.083% (controls) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was 18.75% (cases) and 0% (controls). Odd's ratio for EBV in patients with periodontitis is calculated (Haldane-Anscombe correction) to be 21.82%. Herpes simplex virus 1/2 and varicella-zoster virus were absent in both groups. Conclusions: Within the limitation of this study, EBV was found in cases of periodontitis patients. Its role in disease initiation and progression is not clear. Further studies are required to ascertain EBV as risk factor in periodontal disease.