Interleukin-6 and Interferon-α Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid in HIV-1 Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The influence of cytokine on the progression of chronic periodontitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients is still controversial and poorly investigated. This study aimed to analyze and compare IL-6 and IFN-α levels in the gingival crevicular fluid of HIV-1-positive and HIV-1-negative patients with chronic periodontitis and different grades of tissue destruction and inflammation. Samples from the gingival crevicular sulcus were obtained from 35 HIV-1-positive individuals with chronic periodontitis and 35 seronegative patients with chronic periodontitis. Probing depth and clinical attachment level, as well as the results of the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for confirmation of patient diagnostics, were evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using Student t, Mann-Whitney and Spearman tests. IL-6 levels were significantly lower, while IFN-α levels were significantly higher in HIV-1 patients. Clinical attachment level was directly associated with IFN-α levels in HIV-1 carriers, connected to probing depth in these patients. Clinical data in association with gingival crevicular fluid cytokine levels may reveal a localized immunological response pattern, which may contribute to the understanding of periodontitis pathogenesis in HIV-1 carriers.