Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus are associated with symptomatic periapical pathosis.
BACKGROUND
Recent studies have identified human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in symptomatic periapical lesions. Little information exists on HCMV and EBV in asymptomatic periapical lesions.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the presence of late transcripts of HCMV, EBV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in symptomatic and asymptomatic periapical lesions.


METHODS
Periapical samples were collected from seven symptomatic and seven asymptomatic periapical lesions at the time of apicoectomy. HCMV, EBV and HSV late mRNAs were identified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
HCMV mRNA was detected in all seven symptomatic periapical lesions and in one asymptomatic lesion (Chi-squared test, Yates'P-value = 0.007). EBV mRNA was detected in six symptomatic lesions and in one asymptomatic lesion (P = 0.04). One asymptomatic lesion yielded HSV mRNA.


CONCLUSIONS
HCMV and EBV active infections are associated with acute exacerbation of apical periodontitis. HSV seems to be unimportant in periapical pathosis.
Sabeti
M
M
University of Southern California, School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, USA.
Simon
J H
JH
Slots
J
J
D001047:Apicoectomy; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000145:classification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000145:classification; D006801:Humans; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000145:classification; D013283:Stomatitis, Herpetic / Q000175:diagnosis; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000821:virology
D012333:RNA, Messenger