Description
Introduction:Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the oral mucosa with suspected autoimmune origins. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in autoimmune diseases due to its ability to modulate immune responses. This study aims to investigate the association between EBV serological markers, viral load in saliva and OLP clinical severity.
Materials and Methods:
24 OLP patients who visited RSU Clinic of Oral Medicine, RSU Institute of Stomatology during 17.06.2021- 02.03.2023 were included in the study. Demographic data and clinical characteristics of OLP were recorded. Serum samples were collected and EBV-specific IgG and IgM class antibody levels were measured using ELISA. Virus-specific genomic sequences were detected in DNA samples isolated from saliva by real-time PCR. JMP17 and GraphPad Prism9 were used to analyse correlation between levels of IgG and IgM class antibodies, EBV load in saliva and clinical parameters
Results:
EBV-specific IgG class antibody level surpassed the upper detection limit (>750 IU/ml), suggestive of past EBV exposure or persistent infection in 9 (37.5%) patients. In all patients except one virus-specific IgM class antibody level was below the detection threshold (<10 IU/ml), indicating absence of acute infection or reactivation of persistent EBV infection. EBV load was detected in 17 (70.8%) OLP patients saliva samples and in 6 it was >105 copies/ml. All 6 patients with high EBV load in saliva were with erosive form of OLP, and had elevated IgG antibody levels in blood serum. Histopathology showed dense lymphocyte/macrophage accumulation beneath mucosal epithelium, epithelial cell apoptosis, vacuolar damage in lower mucosal layers, and basal layer degeneration, suggesting viral infection.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest a potential association between EBV infection and OLP. Elevated EBV IgG class antibody levels and presence of viral genomic sequences in saliva indicates that EBV could be involved in pathogenesis of OLP through immune dysregulation.
| Period | 12 Sept 2024 → 14 Sept 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event title | CED/NOF-IADR Oral Health Research Congress 2024 |
| Event type | Congress |
| Location | Geneva, SwitzerlandShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |