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Periodontal tissues are targets for Sars-Cov-2: a post-mortem study
Bruno Fernandes Matuck1, Marisa Dolhnikoff1, Gilvan V A Maia2
1Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Journal of Oral Microbiology
|January 4, 2021
Summary
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected in periodontal tissue from patients who died from COVID-19. This finding suggests the oral cavity may be a reservoir for the virus, potentially contributing to its transmission.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Virology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- The spread of SARS-CoV-2 drives the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 10 million global cases by June 2020.
- Asymptomatic individuals are implicated in over 80% of SARS-CoV-2 transmissions.
- Viruses are frequently identified in periodontal tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in periodontal tissues.
- To explore potential viral reservoirs in the oral cavity.
Main Methods:
- Minimally invasive post-mortem biopsies using video-endoscopy in seven fatal COVID-19 cases.
- RT-PCR analysis to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- Histopathological examination of periodontal tissues.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in the periodontal tissue of 5 out of 7 COVID-19 positive patients.
- Histopathology revealed alterations in junctional epithelium keratinocytes, including vacuolization and nuclear pleomorphism.
- The study included patients aged 8 to 74, with 57.14% females.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first biomolecular evidence of SARS-CoV-2 presence in periodontal tissue.
- Minimally invasive autopsy techniques can be utilized for viral detection.
- The oral cavity, specifically periodontal tissue, may serve as a SARS-CoV-2 reservoir.
