The association between human herpes viruses and periodontal disease, part 2

Abstract

The role of herpesviruses in the aetiopathogenesis of periodontal diseases is uncertain. While their role in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease has not been established, the increased levels of herpesvirus gene products in periodontally diseased sites--compared to that in clinically healthy sites--and their association with elevated levels of periodontopathic bacteria points to a possible coactive role of the herpesviruses with the bacteria. The available data regarding the relationship between herpesviruses and the periodontal disease status, as well as the possible mechanisms that might enable herpesviruses to influence the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases, are discussed.