Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Placental Tissue Levels of Interleukin-17 as a Possible Marker for Preterm Labor in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Background:  The present study was conducted to evaluate the levels of interleukin (IL) – 17 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and placental tissue samples of pregnant females as a possible marker in determining whether or not an association exists between chronic periodontitis and preterm labor. Methods:  This case-control study included a random sample of 40 female patients, aged 18 to 35 years, who were assigned to one of the following four groups (10 subjects each): group 1 included patients who underwent spontaneous preterm birth (PB) and were diagnosed with chronic periodontitis upon clinical examination (preterm/periodontitis); group 2 included patients who underwent spontaneous PB and who had a healthy periodontium upon clinical examination (preterm/healthy periodontium); group 3 included patients who underwent spontaneous normal term birth and were diagnosed with chronic periodontitis upon clinical examination (term/periodontitis); and group 4 included patients who underwent spontaneous normal term birth and who had a healthy periodontium upon clinical examination (term/healthy periodontium). GCF and placental tissue samples were obtained from each patient and IL-17 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: GCF levels of IL-17 were significantly higher (P=0.010) in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to those with a healthy periodontium. No significant differences were observed in IL-17 levels in placental tissue samples of all study groups. Conclusion: An association between chronic periodontitis and preterm labor could not be established based on IL-17 levels measured in the present study.