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Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
12:16

Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells

Published on: December 17, 2015

Relationship between Porphyromonas gingivalis, Epstein-Barr virus infection and reactivation in periodontitis

Naoyuki Sugano1, Kyoko Ikeda, Maiko Oshikawa

  • 1Department of Periodontology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, Tokyo, Japan. sugano-n@dent.nihon-u.ac.jp

Journal of Oral Science
|May 20, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Porphyromonas gingivalis and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) interact in periodontitis. EBV reactivation may allow P. gingivalis overgrowth, while P. gingivalis can induce EBV reactivation, suggesting a bi-directional relationship.

Area of Science:

  • Oral microbiology
  • Virology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Periodontitis is a common oral infection.
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a widespread human herpesvirus.
  • The interplay between oral bacteria and viruses in disease pathogenesis is complex.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in periodontitis.
  • To determine if P. gingivalis infection influences EBV reactivation.
  • To assess if EBV reactivation can be induced by P. gingivalis.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time PCR was used to quantify P. gingivalis and EBV.
  • Saliva samples from periodontitis patients were analyzed for P. gingivalis and EBV status.
  • An EBV-positive B-cell line was stimulated with P. gingivalis sonicate to assess EBV reactivation.

Main Results:

  • P. gingivalis was found in significantly higher proportions in the saliva of EBV-positive periodontitis patients compared to EBV-negative patients.
  • P. gingivalis sonicate significantly increased EBV genome numbers in an EBV-positive B-cell line.
  • This indicates P. gingivalis can induce EBV reactivation.

Conclusions:

  • The interaction between EBV and P. gingivalis in periodontitis is bi-directional.
  • EBV reactivation may compromise host defenses, facilitating P. gingivalis proliferation.
  • P. gingivalis has the capacity to induce EBV reactivation, contributing to disease progression.

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