Herpes Simplex 1 and Periopathogen Role in Peri-implantitis

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Virology
• Periodontology

Background:

• Peri-implantitis (PI) is a prevalent complication of dental implants.
• Herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-1) has been investigated for its potential role in PI.
• Understanding the interplay between HSV-1 and periopathogens is crucial for PI management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare HSV-1 profiles in implant surfaces between PI and healthy peri-implant tissues.
• To quantitatively assess the relationship between HSV-1 and periopathogens in PI.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect and quantify HSV-1 and periodonto-pathogens in plaque samples.
• Samples were collected from the peri-implant sulcus and internal implant connections of patients with PI and healthy controls.
• Microorganism frequencies and levels were compared between groups, and correlations were analyzed.

Main Results:

• HSV-1 prevalence was slightly higher in PI (33.3%) versus healthy tissues (23.8%), though not statistically significant.
• HSV-1-positive patients showed higher loads of Prevotella intermedia and Campylobacter rectus.
• Significant positive correlations were found between HSV-1 and specific bacteria in both PI and healthy groups.

Conclusions:

• HSV-1 prevalence alone cannot identify peri-implantitis.
• HSV-1 levels were similar in both PI and healthy implant sites after 6 years.
• HSV-1 may serve as an unspecific indicator of host response to bacterial challenges in PI.