title: Evaluation of salivary procalcitonin levels in different periodontal diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study aims to investigate the levels of salivary procalcitonin (ProCT) in patients with different periodontal diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two non-smokers are included in this study: 21 individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP), 14 individuals with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP), 18 individuals with gingivitis (G), and 19 periodontally healthy (H) participants. Clinical periodontal parameters, including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index (GI), were assessed in all participants. Saliva samples were collected and examined for evaluating ProCT levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that the median (interquartile range) salivary ProCT level was lowest in the H group: 0.00 (0.09) ng/mL; followed by the G group: 0.09 (0.11) ng/mL; the CP group: 0.15 (0.29) ng/mL; and highest in the GAgP group 0.28 (0.68) ng/mL. These differences were statistically significant between the H group and the other groups (P <0.05). There were positive correlations between the mean salivary ProCT level and GI, CAL, and PD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the present results, ProCT might play a role during periodontal inflammation, and an elevated salivary ProCT level is suggested as a potential biomarker for periodontal diseases.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Meltem Karsiyaka
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hendek
authors.affiliation: *Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ebru Olgun
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Erdemir
authors.affiliation: †Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale University.
authors.forename: Ucler
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kisa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000032:analysis*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000378:metabolism; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000032:analysis*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D002116:Calcitonin
keywords: Diagnosis; gingivitis; periodontitis; procalcitonin; saliva