Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus in Chronic Generalized Periodontitis via Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Pilot Study

Background. As bacterial etiology could not support and explain various aspects of periodontal disease, herpes virus is now proposed to be one of the factors responsible for the periodontal destruction. The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis.
Methods. Eleven patients were consecutively selected for the study, of which 3 were diagnosed with moderate chronic generalized periodontitis and 8 with severe chronic generalized periodontitis. Subgingival material was taken from the deepest pocket of the dentition from every study subject, before the commencement of any procedure and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to detect the presence of HSV-1 and -2.
Results. HSV-1 and -2 DNA was not detected in any of the samples.
Conclusion. This study is in contrast with previous studies and questions the proposed pathogenic role and clinical relevance of herpes virus in periodontitis.