An evaluation of an array of viruses and fungi in adult Lebanese patients presenting with various dental infections: A cross-sectional study

Wael Khalil; Hani Abd-Ul-Salam; Abd El Hadi Kanj; Rémi Safi; Mohammad El-Harakeh; Mazen Kurban; Elias A Rahal; Ghassan M Matar

doi:10.3855/jidc.17358

An evaluation of an array of viruses and fungi in adult Lebanese patients presenting with various dental infections: A cross-sectional study

Authors

Wael Khalil Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Bacterial Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Hani Abd-Ul-Salam Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1678-1230
Abd El Hadi Kanj Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Iraq
Rémi Safi Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
Mohammad El-Harakeh Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3014-3937
Mazen Kurban Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Elias A Rahal Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Bacterial Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Ghassan M Matar Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Bacterial Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4691-8998

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17358

Keywords:

Periodontitis, pericoronitis, PCR, microbiology, virus, fungi, peri-apical infection

Abstract

Introduction: The role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, pericoronitis, and periapical infections has been well-established. However, the variation in the severity and prognosis of these lesions could suggest a potential role of other microorganisms, such as viruses and fungi. This study aims to evaluate the presence of adenovirus, human papillomavirus-16, Epstein-Barr virus, Candida, and non-Candida fungi in these infections.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study including 120 healthy adult patients presenting with dental infections requiring dental extractions were conducted to assess the prevalence and the relative quantity of viruses and fungi in saliva, infected, and healthy tissues using quantitative polymerase chain reaction tests. Samples were collected, and a categorical scale was used for the prevalence and a continuous scale for the relative quantification. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square for the prevalence and Wilcoxon rank test for the relative quantification.

Results: Except for the Epstein-Barr virus and Candida, the presence of viruses and fungi was significantly associated with dental infections. Adenovirus showed an association with pericoronitis, while human papilloma virus-16 exhibited an association with periapical infections. Non-Candida fungi, on the other hand, showed a positive association with all infected tissues and saliva as compared to healthy control lesions except for periapical infections.

Conclusions: According to this study, viruses and fungi were found to be prevalent in dental infections. However, their associations with those infections vary depending on the types of viruses or fungi involved and the category of dental infections.

Author Biography

Ghassan M Matar, Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Bacterial Pathogens, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon

Professor Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology

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Published

2022-12-31

How to Cite

Khalil W, Abd-Ul-Salam H, Kanj AEH, Safi R, El-Harakeh M, Kurban M, A Rahal E, Matar GM (2022) An evaluation of an array of viruses and fungi in adult Lebanese patients presenting with various dental infections: A cross-sectional study. J Infect Dev Ctries 16:1906–1913. doi: 10.3855/jidc.17358

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Issue

Vol. 16 No. 12: December 2022

Section

Original Articles

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