OBJECTIVETo evaluate the subgingival prevalence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus-1 (EBV-1) in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients before and after treatment and to analyze the relationship between the prevalent variance and periodontal clinical parameters.

METHODSGingival crevicular fluids of 13 CP patients were collected at baseline, 2 weeks, 2 months and 4 months after periodontal mechanical treatment. HCMV and EBV-1 were detected using nested polymerase chain reaction (n-PCR).

RESULTSThe plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD) and bleeding index (BI) of CP patients at 2 months, 4 months after periodontal mechanical treatment were evidently lower than before treatment, P < 0.01. These parameters at 4 months after treatment were higher than at 2 months, the differences were significant, P < 0.05. The prevalence of HCMV and EBV in CP patients was 42% (33/78), 14% (11/78). EBV and HCMV were mostly coexistent in the same site [9 sites HCMV(+) in 11 EBV positive sites]. The sites of HCMV(+) and EBV(+) were almost deep pockets. Thirteen of 14 sites with deep pockets were HCMV(+), 9 sites were deep pockets in 11 sites EBV(+). The prevalence of HCMV and EBV (8% and 0 respectively) at 2 weeks was the lowest in all four time points. The prevalence of HCMV and EBV at 2 weeks, 2 months and 4 months following treatment was significantly lower than baseline (P < 0.01), but the prevalence of HCMV (15%) at 2 months after treatment was higher than at 2 weeks (8%), the difference was not significant (P = 0.133).

CONCLUSIONSHerpesviruses may play a role in the development of CP. The changes of the prevalence of herpesviruses before the changes of clinical parameters could be detected after periodontal mechanical treatment. The patients should be re-evaluated and re-treated within 2 months after treatment.