The Relationships Among Periodontitis, Pneumonia and COVID-19

Abstract

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the supporting structures of the teeth that affects approximately half of adults 30 years and older. There is increasing interest in the direct and indirect relationships between periodontitis and systemic diseases, including respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the evidence on links among periodontitis, pneumonia, and COVID-19. Oral and periodontal bacteria may be linked to respiratory disease directly by aspiration of pathogens into the lungs causing pneumonia. As SARS-CoV-2 began to spread worldwide in 2020, questions have arisen of how periodontal disease may also be connected to SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity, including potential replication and dissemination of the virus from periodontal pockets. Some proposed mechanisms include the oral cavity acting as a reservoir or point of entry for SARS-CoV-2, overgrowth of periodontal pathogens, and increased production of proinflammatory cytokines. Due to potential links between periodontal disease and respiratory infections like pneumonia and SARS-CoV-2, oral hygiene and management of periodontitis remain essential to help reduce infection and transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Association Serum Lipid Levels with Periodontal Disease in Korean Adults Over the Age of 50: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2016-2018

“…Periodontal disease, a chronic inflammatory disease, is one of the representative oral diseases and is caused by pathogenic microorganisms, genetic factors, and environmental factors. Periodontal disease is also reported to be closely related to various systemic diseases such as pregnancy side effects, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis [17][18][19][20]. However, the pathogenic factors acting on the development process have not been clearly identified, and the effects of extra oral physical factors such as nutritional disorders and metabolic disorders on periodontal disease have not been accurately identified [21,22].…”

Use of natural cysteine protease inhibitors in limiting SARS-Co-2 fusion into human respiratory cells

“…Fusion of these pathogenic viruses begins with the activation of their surface proteins, whether they are S proteins (SARS-CoV-2), influenza virus hemagglutinin (AH1N1), or protein receptors of other viruses. Thus, it can be suggested that blocking cysteine cathepsins (B / L) in the respiratory tract may be used for a wider range of therapies than just SARS-CoV-2 [52] , [53] , [54] , [55] .…”

Orofacial and facial pain during the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic. Choosing a non-steroid anti-inflammator – focus on nimesulide

“…Слизистая оболочка полости рта высоковосприимчива к инфекции SARS-CoV-2, что обусловлено широким распространением АПФ2 в ротовой полости, главным образом эпителиальных клетках слизистой оболочки полости рта, фибробластах пародонтальной связки и деснах, и соответственно, может рассматриваться в качестве входных ворот для вируса SARS-CoV-2 и его резервуара [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12].…”