HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS REACTIVATION AND DENTAL PROCEDURES

Objectives : Dental extraction is reportes to trigger recurrent herpes labialis (RHL). Aim : This aims to prospectively study the clinical occurrence of RHL and the oral herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) viral shedding before and 3 days after different dental procedures. Materials and methods : Oral HSV-1 DNA was measured by real-time PCR before and 3 days after dental procedures of the inferior dentition in 57 immunocometent patients (mean age 32.4 years) who were selected and divided into four distinct subgroups (dental inspection without anesthesia, n=14; molar extraction under local anesthesia, n=15; and molar extraction under general anesthesia, n=9) and compared to 32 healthy controls (mean age 33 years). Results : None of the patients suffered from RHL at day 3. Oral HSV-1 DNA was detected before and after procedure in 1.7 % (1/57) and 5.3 % (3/57), respectively [dental inspection without anesthesia, 5.3 % (1/19); molar extraction under local anesthesia, 6.7 % (1/15); and molar extraction under general anesthesia, 11 % (1/9)]. None of the controls presented RHL or detectable oral HSV-1 DNA. There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups and controls.