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

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.