Relationship of HIV RNA and cytokines in saliva from HIV-infected individuals.

We measured levels of six cytokines and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA in saliva from HIV-seropositive individuals and compared salivary cytokine levels in HIV-seropositives and seronegatives. All of the six tested cytokines were detected in saliva although interleukin-1beta, interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 were detected more frequently (90%, 68% and 61% of samples, respectively) than interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor II (2-17%). There was no significant association between cytokine levels in saliva and plasma suggesting that cytokines were produced locally. Interferon-gamma levels were significantly higher in saliva from HIV-seropositives when compared to seronegatives while interleukin-10 levels were lower in seropositive saliva. Interleukin-10 levels were higher in individuals with low CD4 counts in the seropositive group. HIV RNA was detected in 29% of saliva samples from seropositives and there was a significant correlation between saliva and plasma HIV RNA levels. However, HIV RNA levels in saliva were not significantly associated with any of the saliva or plasma cytokine levels or with CD4 cell numbers. This study shows no association between inflammatory cytokine levels and HIV levels in saliva and suggests that saliva HIV levels are more influenced by blood HIV RNA levels than oral inflammation.

Baseline characteristics of participants in the oral health component of the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study described baseline sociodemographic and oral health characteristics of a subset of HIV sero-positive and sero-negative women who participated in the oral health component of the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS). METHODS: In 1995-96, 584 HIV sero-positive and 151 sero-negative women from five WIHS core sites were enrolled in the oral study. Data on oral mucosa, salivary glands, dentition and periodontium, along with demographics, socioeconomics, and behavioral characteristics, were used to characterize this population. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age was 37 (8) years for HIV sero-positive and 36 (8) years for sero-negative women; 27% of sero-positive women had CD4 counts < or =200 and 34% had viral loads >50,000 copies/ml. Sero-positive and sero-negative women were similar demographically, as well as on plaque index, gingival bleeding, linear gingival banding, and numbers of DMF teeth and surfaces, but sero-positive women had more abnormal gingival papilla (P = 0.004) and fewer teeth (P = 0.01). Among sero-positive women, those with <200 CD4 counts had more DMF teeth (P = 0.007), and the number of DMF surfaces increased with decreasing CD4 counts (P = 0.04). Sero-positive women who fit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) AIDS criteria were also more likely to have more DMF teeth (P = 0.004), DMF surfaces (P = 0.003), and decayed and/or filled (DF) root surfaces (P = 0.0002) compared to sero-positive women without AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: Dental and periodontal variables showed little difference between HIV sero-positive and sero-negative women. Among sero-positive women, there were significant differences in coronal and root caries by AIDS diagnostic criteria, but no periodontal indicators by either AIDS diagnostic criteria or CD4 status, were observed.

Defect-determined regenerative options for treating periodontal intrabony defects in baboons.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to regenerate periodontal intrabony defects, the healing potential of the defect should determine what therapeutic modalities and materials are employed. The purpose of this study was to compare regenerative outcomes in baboon intrabony defects that were contained versus non-contained, using various regenerative therapies. METHODS: Nine adult baboons (Papio anubis) in good health were treated. Eighty-six interproximal, intrabony defects were surgically created: 43 contained by 3 walls of bone; 43 non-contained with a missing buccal wall. Chronicity and plaque accumulation were encouraged with wire ligature placement for 8 weeks. After ligature removal, scaling, and a 2- to 4-week healing period, the defects were treated with the following therapies: collagen membrane (GTR), human demineralized freeze-dried bone (DFDB) grafting (BG), combined therapy (GTR + BG) and a DFDB-glycoprotein sponge matrix (MAT). Clinical healing responses were evaluated in 58 sites by changes in soft tissue (recession, probing, clinical attachment) and hard tissue (resorption, defect fill) parameters 6 months post-treatment. Histologic evaluation (defect regeneration, connective tissue attachment, epithelial migration) was done on 26 sites. RESULTS: For contained defects, no real significant clinical (ANOVA) or histologic differences existed among treatments. However, for non-contained defects, combined therapy (GTR + BG) demonstrated clinically significant (P < or = 0.05, ANOVA) and histologically superior healing results over the other therapies tested. CONCLUSION: These results confirm a defect morphology directed rationale for periodontal intrabony therapy.

Differences in risk factors among clinical types of oral candidiasis in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and concurrence/associations of oral candidiasis types and multiple risk factors in women. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data for 577 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive and 152 HIV-seronegative women from the Women's Interagency HIV Study was conducted. Pseudomembranous candidiasis (PC) and erythematous (EC) candidiasis, angular cheilitis (AC), and denture stomatitis (DS) were studied, and bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Prevalences were 8% for PC, 7% for EC, 18% for DS, and 3% for AC; all except AC usually occurred alone. HIV seropositivity was associated with PC, EC, and DS, but not AC. Among HIV-seropositive women, low CD4 cell counts were associated with PC, but not with EC or DS. Heroin/methadone use was associated with PC and EC; salivary hypofunction was associated with PC; high viral load was associated with EC, and poor oral hygiene, with EC and DS. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors varied among candidiasis types, suggesting differences in pathogenic mechanisms and usefulness as markers of HIV infection/progression.

Effect of surgical implantation of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 in a bioabsorbable collagen sponge or calcium phosphate putty carrier in intrabony periodontal defects in the baboon.

BACKGROUND: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in a proper carrier has been shown to induce clinically relevant bone formation for several oral/maxillofacial and periodontal indications and to stimulate regeneration of the periodontal attachment. The objective of this study is to evaluate regeneration of alveolar bone, cementum, periodontal ligament, and associated root resorption and ankylosis following surgical implantation of rhBMP-2 in an absorbable collagen sponge (ACS) or a calcium phosphate putty (alphaBSM) carrier in 3-wall intrabony periodontal defects in the baboon. METHODS: rhBMP-2/ACS and rhBMP-2/alphaBSM were implanted in surgically produced, maxillary and mandibular, large size, 3-wall intrabony defects in 4 baboons. Contralateral jaw quadrants were implanted with buffer/ACS, buffer/ alphaBSM, or served as sham-operated surgical controls. Treatments were allocated to left and right, maxillary and mandibular, jaw quadrants following a randomization schedule. Four months following implantation, block biopsies of defect sites were obtained, processed, and subjected to histologic and histometric analysis. RESULTS: Defect sites receiving rhBMP-2/ACS and rhBMP-2/alphaBSM demonstrated significantly greater regeneration than controls. No significant differences were observed between defect sites receiving rhBMP-2/ACS or rhBMP-2/alphaBSM regarding epithelial migration and connective tissue attachment and new bone formation. However, rhBMP-2/ACS supported significantly greater new cementum formation. Ankylosis or root resorption were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the use of rhBMP-2 to enhance periodontal regeneration of intrabony periodontal defects. While this novel technology holds promise, refinement in carrier systems may provide the key to enhancement of the regenerative potential.

Assessment of a Canine Crown Reduction Technique in Nonhuman Primates.

The purpose of the study reported here was to evaluate the applicability of a pulpotomy technique used in human dentistry for canine crown reduction in nonhuman primates. General anesthesia was induced on seven male rhesus monkeys, and their canine teeth were amputated at the level of the occlusal surface of the premolars and incisors, using a water-cooled highspeed dental handpiece and a tapered diamond burr. A pulpal access cavity was established. Teeth with vital pulps were capped with calcium hydroxide, varnish, and amalgam. Disarmed canine teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically during the subsequent 19 weeks. At the conclusion of this period, the monkeys were euthanatized, and the canine teeth were collected for histomorphologic assessment. At the end of the 19-week period, all 27 teeth had intact amalgam seals, 26 had a normal radiographic periodontal ligament space, and 26 had viable pulp, as determined on the basis of histomorphologic evaluation. Thus, 26 of 27 (96%) of the teeth on which the pulpotomy technique was performed were considered viable and, hence, had a successful outcome.