ABSTRACT
Over the past several decades, studies have demonstrated the existence of bi-directional relationships between periodontal disease and systemic conditions. Periodontitis is a polymicrobial and multifactorial disease involving both host and environmental factors. Tissue destruction is primarily associated with hyperresponsiveness of the host resulting in release of inflammatory mediators. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a major role in bacterial stimulation and tissue destruction. In addition, these cytokines are thought to underlie the associations between periodontitis and systemic conditions. Current research suggests that increased release of cytokines from host cells, referred to as the cytokine storm, is associated with disease progression in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). An intersection between periodontitis and pulmonary disease is biologically plausible. Hence, we reviewed the evidence linking COVID-19, cytokines, and periodontal disease. Plaque control is essential to prevent exchange of bacteria between the mouth and the lungs, reducing the risk of lung disease. Understanding these associations may help identify individuals at high risk and deliver appropriate care at early stages.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/immunology , Cytokine Release Syndrome/immunology , Dental Plaque/immunology , Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology , Periodontitis/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity , Stress, Psychological/immunology , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/genetics , COVID-19/virology , Cytokine Release Syndrome/complications , Cytokine Release Syndrome/genetics , Cytokine Release Syndrome/virology , Dental Plaque/complications , Dental Plaque/genetics , Dental Plaque/virology , Gene Expression Regulation , Host-Pathogen Interactions/genetics , Humans , Interferon-gamma/genetics , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Interleukin-10/genetics , Interleukin-10/immunology , Interleukin-6/genetics , Interleukin-6/immunology , Lung/immunology , Lung/pathology , Lung/virology , Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules/immunology , Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecules/metabolism , Periodontitis/complications , Periodontitis/genetics , Periodontitis/virology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Signal Transduction , Stress, Psychological/complications , Stress, Psychological/genetics , Stress, Psychological/virology , Tooth/immunology , Tooth/pathology , Tooth/virology , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunologyABSTRACT
COVID-19 is now recognized as a pandemic throughout the world, leading to a scramble in order to gather knowledge as well as evidence regarding the 'novel' corona virus which causes this disease. Chemokines are a family of cytokines which are chemotactic in nature and cause the recruitment of cells of inflammation. Periodontitis has long been attributed to having its pathophysiology rooted in a cytokine response. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has been reported to have adverse outcomes related to the establishment of a cytokine storm, many of the components of which are common with the cytokine expression profile of periodontitis. This communication explores the connection between COVID-19 and periodontal disease through their cytokine connection to form a translational basis for recommending maintenance of oral hygiene in the COVID era and to red flag patients with periodontitis as having an increased risk of exhibiting COVID related adverse outcomes.