Exploring the interplay between Porphyromonas gingivalis KGP gingipain, herpes virus MicroRNA-6, and Icp4 transcript in periodontitis: Computational and clinical insights

Porphyromonas gingivalis and Human Cytomegalovirus Co-Infection: A Potential Link Between Periodontal Disease and Oral Cancer Development

Periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory condition that can contribute to the development of oral cancer. Chronic inflammation from PD can lead to the release of inflammatory mediators and growth factors that promote tumorigenesis. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is one of several pathogens implicated in PD and its potential link to oral cancer. However, other viral infections, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), can also contribute to chronic inflammation, creating a favorable environment for oral cancer development.

OBJECTIVES

The present literature review tries to investigate the possible influence of P. gingivalis and HCMV co-infection in fostering the development of oral cancer and chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on the relevance and significance of articles that examine the role of P. gingivalis and HCMV in periodontal disease and oral cancer.

RESULTS

The evidence suggests that P. gingivalis and HCMV may act synergistically to modulate host immunity, disrupt epithelial integrity, and interfere with key cellular pathways. These interactions may enhance tissue destruction and foster a microenvironment conducive to malignant transformation. However, most of these findings stem from in vitro models and small-scale clinical studies, limiting the generalizability and clinical relevance of current conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the proposed interaction between P. gingivalis and HCMV provides a compelling framework for understanding how microbial co-infections may influence oral cancer, the evidence remains preliminary and largely associative. To support these mechanistic hypotheses, future studies should give top priority to in vivo models, bigger patient cohorts, and longitudinal clinical studies.

Efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (a-PDT) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing on clinical parameters, oxidative and anti-oxidative profile in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial

This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis patients in terms of plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidative status and oxidative stress index. 40 chronic periodontitis patients were enrolled. In each patient, the quadrants were divided into two sides (left and right); one side (2 quadrants) was randomly assigned to group 1: SRP (control) and the other side (2 quadrants) was assigned to group 2: SRP + a-PDT (test). The clinical and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and 3 months. Independent t test and paired t test were used to compare between and within groups respectively. At 3rd month, group 2 showed significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) in terms of clinical (PI, GI, PPD) and biochemical parameters (TAOC, TOS, OSI) than group 1. However, there was no significant difference in terms of CAL (p > 0.05). a-PDT, when used as an adjunct to SRP can positively influence periodontal parameters and oxidative stress biomarkers, thereby restoring the oxidative and antioxidant balance in periodontal tissues nurturing it from disease to health.