Unvaccinated periodontal patients with a history of COVID-19: clinical findings in a Dental School setting

Abstract This study analyzed the periodontal clinical data of individuals with a history of COVID-19 treated in a dental school during the pandemic in 2021 before vaccination. Methods: This analysis included individuals older than 18 years with no history of systemic disorders other than systemic arterial hypertension. Individuals who had COVID-19 were classified according to the World Health Organization as asymptomatic, with mild, moderate, severe, or critical symptoms. Results: A total of 95 individuals were evaluated, which included 24 with a history of COVID-19. Seventeen percent had been asymptomatic, 21% had mild, 25% moderate, 21% severe, and 17% critical symptoms, including intubation. Individuals with no history of COVID-19 presented significantly lower measurements of probing depth (p=0.003; Mann-Whitney test) and clinical attachment level (p=0.002) compared to individuals with a history of COVID-19. A significant negative association was found between bleeding on probing and the severity of characteristics of COVID-19 (rho= -0.233; p=0.023). Conversely, positive associations between the values of probing depth (rho= 0.292; p=0.004) and mean clinical attachment level (rho= 0.300; p=0.003) and the characteristics of COVID-19 were found. Conclusions: The periodontal data shows that patients who had COVID-19 before vaccination may present a worse periodontal status when compared to patients in the same clinical setting with no history of COVID-19. However, a more extensive study should confirm it with more participants.

Resumo Este estudo analisou os dados clínicos periodontais de indivíduos com histórico de COVID-19 tratados em uma escola de odontologia durante a pandemia em 2021, antes da vacinação. Métodos: Essa análise incluiu indivíduos maiores de 18 anos sem histórico de distúrbios sistêmicos, exceto hipertensão arterial sistêmica. Os indivíduos que tiveram COVID-19 foram classificados de acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde como assintomáticos, com sintomas leves, moderados, graves ou críticos. Resultados: 95 indivíduos foram avaliados, incluindo 24 com histórico de COVID-19. 17% eram assintomáticos, 21% tinham sintomas leves, 25% moderados, 21% graves e 17% críticos, incluindo intubação. Os indivíduos sem histórico de COVID-19 apresentaram medidas significativamente mais baixas de profundidade de sondagem (p=0,003; teste de Mann-Whitney) e nível de fixação clínica (p=0,002) em comparação com indivíduos com histórico de COVID-19. Foi encontrada uma associação negativa significativa entre o sangramento à sondagem e a gravidade das características da COVID-19 (rho= -0,233; p=0,023). Por outro lado, foram encontradas associações positivas entre os valores de profundidade de sondagem (rho = 0,292; p = 0,004) e o nível médio de apego clínico (rho = 0,300; p = 0,003) e as características da COVID-19. Conclusão: Os dados periodontais mostraram que os pacientes que tiveram COVID-19 antes da vacinação podem apresentar um pior estado periodontal quando comparados a pacientes no mesmo ambiente clínico sem histórico de COVID-19. No entanto, um estudo mais extenso deve ser realizado para confirmar tal achado com maior número de participantes.

Prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. in subgingival biofilm and saliva of subjects with chronic periodontal infection

P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. are important pathogens associated with late nosocomial pneumonia in hospitalized and institutionalized individuals. The oral cavity may be a major source of these respiratory pathogens, particularly in the presence of poor oral hygiene and periodontal infection. This study investigated the prevalence of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. in subgingival biofilm and saliva of subjects with periodontal disease or health. Samples were obtained from 55 periodontally healthy (PH) and 169 chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. DNA was obtained from the samples and detection of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. was carried out by multiplex and nested PCR. P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. were detected in 40% and 45% of all samples, respectively. No significant differences in the distribution of these microorganisms between men and women, subgingival biofilm and saliva samples, patients < 35 and > 35 years of age, and smokers and non-smokers were observed regardless periodontal status (p > 0.05). In contrast, the frequencies of P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. in saliva and biofilm samples were significantly greater in CP than PH patients (p < 0.01). Smokers presenting P. aeruginosa and high frequencies of supragingival plaque were more likely to present CP than PH. P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. are frequently detected in the oral microbiota of CP. Poor oral hygiene, smoking and the presence of P. aeruginosa are strongly associated with periodontitis.