title: Herpesviruses in endodontic pathoses: association of Epstein-Barr virus with irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis.
abstract: Irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis are inflammatory diseases caused by opportunistic bacteria with possible co-infection with latent herpesviruses. The objectives of this study are to identify herpesviruses, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), and Varicella zoster virus (VZV) in patients with irreversible pulpitis (n = 29) or apical periodontitis, either primary (n = 30) or previously treated (n = 23). Using primary and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-PCR, EBV DNA and RNA were present in endodontic pathoses in significantly higher percentages (43.9% and 25.6%, respectively) compared with healthy pulp controls (0% and 0%, respectively). HCMV DNA and RNA were found in measurable numbers in both endodontic patients (15.9% and 29.3%, respectively) and in healthy pulp controls (42.1% and 10.5%, respectively). HSV-1 DNA was found in low percentages in endodontic patients (13.4%), and only one patient showed the presence of VZV. In conclusion, EBV may be associated with irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontology, Oregon Health & Science University, School of Dentistry, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Vicky
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yanwen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: J Craig
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: Curtis A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Machida
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011842:Radicular Cyst / Q000821:virology; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D017735:Virus Latency; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral