title: Herpesvirus periodontitis: infection beyond biofilm.
abstract: Herpesviruses, including Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, occur at high copy counts in aggressive periodontitis, and may interact synergistically with periodontopathic bacteria in the etiology of the disease. Herpesvirus active periodontal infections may impair local host defenses and thus increase the aggressiveness of resident periodontopathic bacteria. The bacteria, in turn, may augment the virulence of the herpesviruses. The abundance of herpesviruses in periodontitis redefines the pathogenic paradigm of the disease and may have significant clinical implications.
authors.affiliation: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif 90089, USA.
authors.forename: Jørgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slots
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D018441:Biofilms; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D059013:Microbial Consortia; D056265:Microbial Interactions; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D019562:Viral Load