Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Potential Link between COVID-19 and Periodontitis: Cytokine Storm, Immunosuppression, and Dysbiosis

Gisele Maria Campos Fabri

Aim: Investigate the theoretical scientific evidence about biological mechanisms between periodontitis and COVID-19.

Results: As well as in periodontal disease, in COVID-19 the host immune response appears central to delineate the course of the disease. However, the severity and outcome of the COVID-19 might be associated with the excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines “cytokine storm” leading to an acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this sense, it is plausible to reflect on the possibility of a summation effect generating a hyper inflammatory phenotype that could worsen the prognosis. The periodontitis are able to cause adverse systemic inflammation and bacteremia that could impact in severity of systemic disease. Thus, is plausive to study the progression of COVID-19 in periodontal patients and, too, the periodontal alterations by immune dysregulation in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion: Despite of lack of clinical studies about the interrelationship associating PD and COVID-19, there is evidence suggesting possible biological pathways evidencing two-way relationship among periodontal disease and COVID-19. The provided rationale could be used to design an observational study. Thus, the phenomenon of immune dysregulation, inflammaging and dysbiose needs to be more fully understood in this era of pandemic.

Published Date: 2020-11-16; Received Date: 2020-09-07