Herpesvirus‐bacteria synergistic interaction in periodontitis

Abstract

The etiopathogenesis of severe periodontitis includes herpesvirus‐bacteria coinfection. This article evaluates the pathogenicity of herpesviruses (cytomegalovirus and Epstein‐Barr virus) and periodontopathic bacteria (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis) and coinfection of these infectious agents in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. Cytomegalovirus and A. actinomycetemcomitans/P. gingivalis exercise synergistic pathogenicity in the development of localized (“aggressive”) juvenile periodontitis. Cytomegalovirus and Epstein‐Barr virus are associated with P. gingivalis in adult types of periodontitis. Periodontal herpesviruses that enter the general circulation may also contribute to disease development in various organ systems. A 2‐way interaction is likely to occur between periodontal herpesviruses and periodontopathic bacteria, with herpesviruses promoting bacterial upgrowth, and bacterial factors reactivating latent herpesviruses. Bacterial‐induced gingivitis may facilitate herpesvirus colonization of the periodontium, and herpesvirus infections may impede the antibacterial host defense and alter periodontal cells to predispose for bacterial adherence and invasion. Herpesvirus‐bacteria synergistic interactions, are likely to comprise an important pathogenic determinant of aggressive periodontitis. However, mechanistic investigations into the molecular and cellular interaction between periodontal herpesviruses and bacteria are still scarce. Herpesvirus‐bacteria coinfection studies may yield significant new discoveries of pathogenic determinants, and drug and vaccine targets to minimize or prevent periodontitis and periodontitis‐related systemic diseases.

Is the gingival sulcus a potential niche for SARS-Corona virus-2?

“…Symbiotic relationship between gingival microbes could be a potential reason for the high viral proliferation in the gingival sulcus. It is presumed that the virus modulates the local environment aiding in the retention of bacterial colonies, which in turn aid in triggering the reactivation of viruses [13].…”

Comparative In Vitro Resistance of Human Periodontal Bacterial Pathogens to Tinidazole and Four Other Antibiotics

“…Human periodontitis is a destructive form of periodontal disease that is triggered by pathogenic bacterial biofilms, possibly in synergy with certain lytic herpesviruses [1], and mediated by dysregulated host hyper-inflammatory responses, causing progressive connective tissue attachment loss and alveolar bone resorption around teeth, ultimately leading to their loss from the oral cavity [2]. Among the approximately 700 known microbial species and uncultivated phylotypes that inhabit the human oral cavity, only a subset is associated with a pathogenic subgingival microbial dysbiosis in periodontitis-affected patients [3].…”

Occurrence and quantification of Anelloviruses and Herpesviruses in gingival tissue in Chinese Shanghai sub-population

“…Viral sequences belonging to including herpesviruses , papilloma viruses , human T-lymphotropic virus-111 , and anelloviruses have been identified in periodontal lesions [ 5 – 7 ]. Complex interaction between herpesviruses and bacteria may underlie the pathogenesis of periodontitis, with herpesviruses promoting bacterial adherence, invasion and upgrowth, while bacterial factors facilitating herpesvirus colonization and reactivation [ 8 ].…”