Real‐time PCR quantification of cytomegalovirus in aggressive periodontitis lesions using TaqMan technology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Herpesviruses are implicated in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. However, the quantity of herpesviruses in periodontal sites remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare levels of subgingival human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in aggressive periodontitis patients and in periodontally healthy subjects. METHODS: A total of 16 consecutive subjects with aggressive periodontitis and 15 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Subgingival specimens were collected by a periodontal curette. TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to quantify HCMV. RESULTS: HCMV was detected in 68.8% of aggressive periodontitis lesions but not in any of the periodontally healthy study sites. HCMV viral load in positive subgingival specimens ranged from 5 x 10(2) to 7.4 x 10(3) copies/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The TaqMan real-time PCR technology seems to provide a rapid and sensitive method for quantifying HCMV in periodontal pockets. The present findings confirm the frequent presence of HCMV in aggressive periodontitis lesions. Determining HCMV levels in different types of periodontitis may help elucidate the periodontopathic role of the virus and advance our understanding of the disease pathogenesis.