A new study is the first published report on the detection of herpes virus particles in endodontic abscesses and cellulitis. Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Dentistry (OHSU) have found transmissible herpes virus particles in endodontic abscesses and cellulitis. This is the first time herpes virus particles have been detected in patients with any type of endodontic disease and the first published study regarding herpes viruses and their potential association with endodontic abscesses and cellulitis. The findings are in the February issue of Journal of Endodontics (Volume 35, Issue 2, 2009). Abscesses and cellulitis are severe and painful endodontic diseases caused by bacteria. Patients with these diseases also can be infected with latent herpes viruses. The OHSU study assessed the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and Varicella zoster virus (VZV) in 31 endodontic patients with abscesses and cellulitis, and then compared them with 19 healthy patients. Using a variety of molecular techniques, the OHSU team found that 29% of patients containing endodontic abscesses and experiencing tooth pain had HCMV, 6% had the EBV, and 3% had HSV. None of the patients containing endodontic abscess exhibited VZV. In the 12 patients with cellulitis, 17% had human cytomegalovirus and 8% had EBV. None of the patients with cellulitis had HSV or VZV.
“We anticipated that herpes viruses might be associated with radiographic bone destruction or abscesses larger than 5 mm, but that was not the case,” said Curt Machida, PhD, OHSU professor of integrative biosciences and principal investigator whose lab was host for the study. “Based on this study, we concluded that herpes viruses are present, but not necessary for an endodontic patient to develop abscesses and cellulitis. The size of radiographic lesions was not predictive on whether patients with abscesses contained herpes virus particles.”
The research at OHSU was funded by grants from the American Association of Endodontists Foundation, the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute, the NIH National Center for Research Resources, and the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.
(Source: OHSU news release, January 30, 2009)
