title: Herpes simplex virus reactivation and dental procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dental extraction is reported to trigger recurrent herpes labialis (RHL).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This aims to prospectively study the clinical occurrence of RHL and the oral herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) viral shedding before and 3 days after different dental procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oral HSV-1 DNA was measured by real-time PCR before and 3 days after dental procedures of the inferior dentition in 57 immunocompetent patients (mean age 32.4 years) who were selected and divided into four distinct subgroups (dental inspection without anesthesia, n = 19; dental filling under local anesthesia, n = 14; molar extraction under local anesthesia, n = 15; and molar extraction under general anesthesia, n = 9) and compared to 32 healthy controls (mean age 33 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the patients suffered from RHL at day 3. Oral HSV-1 DNA was detected before and after procedure in 1.7 % (1/57) and 5.3 % (3/57), respectively [dental inspection without anesthesia, 5.3 % (1/19); molar extraction under local anesthesia, 6.7 % (1/15); and molar extraction under general anesthesia, 11 % (1/9)]. None of the controls presented RHL or detectable oral HSV-1 DNA. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups and controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Molar extraction increases the risk of oral HSV-1 shedding but not of RHL. Procedure-related nerve damage probably accounts for HSV reactivation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antiviral prophylaxis for RHL is not routinely recommended for dental procedures, regardless of a prior history of RHL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Liège, 4000, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: El Hayderi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delvenne
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rompen
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Senterre
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Nikkels
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000502:physiology*; D014775:Virus Activation