spp. Determination and Th1/Th2 Mixed Cytokine Profile in Oral Samples From HIV+ Patients With Chronic Periodontitis.

Chronic periodontitis (CP), caused by bacteria and fungi, appears in up to 66% of HIV-patients. The impact and association of HIV-treatment (HAART) and itself has not been properly evaluated in the development and progression of CP. The immunopathogenesis is characterized by CD4 T-cells activation and the balance between the T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2) or a mixed cytokine profile. Currently, the associated causes of an immune response in HIV-patients with CP is controversial. Our aims were the determination of spp. and cytokine profile in oral samples from HIV-positive patients with CP, considering the CD4 T cells levels and HAART use. From 500 HIV-positive patients evaluated, 228 patients were enrolled. Patients were separated in groups: (A) = 53 (≤200 CD4 T-cells on HAART); (B) = 57 (≤200 CD4 T-cells without HAART); (C) = 50 (>200 CD4 T-cells without HAART); (D) = 68 (>200 CD4 T-cells on HAART). spp. were isolated from the oral biofilm and crevicular fluid in CHROMagar and confirmed by endpoint PCR. Cytokine levels were measured by beads-based immunoassay in saliva by flow cytometry. 147 patients (64.5%) were positive to . and 204 strains were isolated; 138 (67.6%) were and the remaining species (>>>. In this study, CHROMagar showed good sensitivity (95%) but poor specificity (68%); since of the 152 samples identified as , only 131 were confirmed by PCR; from the 10 samples identified as , only six were confirmed. Finally, of the 42 samples detected as , only five were confirmed. When evaluating spp. presence, group A and D had higher isolation, while group B had the highest species diversity. Whereas, group C had a significant reduction of spp. Despite the presence of and HAART, we found a Th1/Th2 hybrid profile in the saliva of patients with low CD4 T-cell count (group A). Abundance and diversity of the spp. detected in HIV-patients with CP could be related to HAART and low CD4 T-cells levels. Also, the immunosuppression might promote a local Th1/Th2 hybrid cytokine profile.