title: Prevalence of human papilloma virus in marginal periodontium and its association with periodontitis: A cross sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bacterial pathogens in dental plaque are necessary for the development of periodontitis but this etiology alone does not explain all its clinicopathologic features. Researchers have proven the role of certain viruses like herpes virus in periodontal disease which implies that other viral agents like human papilloma virus may also be involved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the proportion of patients with human papilloma virus (HPV-16) in marginal periodontium by analyzing DNA from the gingival tissue sample and to understand its association with periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  102 systemically healthy patients between the age group of 15 and 70 years reporting to the Department of Periodontology who required surgical intervention (flap surgery for patients with periodontitis and crown lengthening for healthy patients) with internal bevel gingivectomy were selected.
  
  
  METHODS
  After scaling and root planning, gingival tissue was collected during the respective surgical procedure. DNA was isolated and amplified using specific primers for HPV-16 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified products were checked by agarose gel electrophoresis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No HPV DNA was detected in the 102 samples analyzed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Marginal periodontium does not contain HPV in this study population and hence there was no association between HPV and periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Government Dental College Trivandrum in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Anila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Government Dental College Trivandrum in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Presanthila
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Janam
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Government Dental College Trivandrum in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Janki Mohan
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Babu Vijayamma
keywords: DNA; human papilloma virus; periodontitis