Abstract

ESCALONA, LA  and  LIMONCHY, ME. Asociación de virus Epstein Barr con  la enfermedad periodontal. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2009, vol.47, n.3, pp.140-152. ISSN 0001-6365.

In the present article we expose a review about the evidences that link Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) presence in the development of the periodontal diseases and the mechanisms through which the host-bacterial-virus interactions activate the periodontal destruction. Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease where bacterial complexes participate along with host tissues by which tooth-supportive tissues are lost. The destruction of periodontal tissues follow an episodic pattern, with periods of latency interrupted by periods of activation. Results of several studies suggest that coexistence of herpesviruses, periodontopathgenic bacterias and inmmune response of the host are important factors in the disease evolution. Genomes of several Herpesviruses, among them EBV, have been detected in gingival tissues, gingival crevicular fluid and subgingival plaque samples from patients with periodontitis. However, the specific role played by this virus in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases has not been established.

Keywords : Epstein-Barr virus; Herpesviruses; periodontal diseases; periodontitis.