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SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in dental biofilms: Supragingival and subgingival findings from inpatients in a COVID‐19 intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Gomes Sabrina C.,
da Fonseca Juliane G.,
Miller Luísa M.,
Manenti Luciane,
Angst Patrícia Daniela M.,
Lamers Marcelo L.,
Brum Ilma S.,
Nunes Lucia.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1002/jper.21-0623
Subject(s) - biofilm , saliva , medicine , dentistry , bleeding on probing , dental plaque , covid-19 , intensive care unit , gingival and periodontal pocket , periodontitis , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , bacteria , genetics , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Background Saliva, salivary glands, gingival crevicular fluid, and supragingival biofilms may harbor SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA. This observational study aimed to investigate the presence and load of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in supragingival, and subgingival biofilms obtained from intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods A convenience sample, composed of 52 COVID‐19+ participants (48.6 ± 14.8 years, 26.9% females), were evaluated for pre‐existing comorbidities, number of teeth, and periodontal data [visible plaque (VPI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depth (PPD), and attachment loss (AL)]. Supragingival and subgingival samples (SubDeep: four sites with the deepest PPD; SubRemain: remaining shallower sites) were analyzed by RT‐qPCR with corresponding cycle quantification (Cq). Statistical analyses considered the individual ( P = 5%). Results Twenty‐six participants tested positive for dental biofilms (Biofilm+) with 96.2% of them being positive for subgingival samples. Pre‐existing comorbidities, number of teeth examined, VPI, PPD, AL, and BOP were similar between Biofilm+ and Biofilm‐. SubDeep PPD (3.72 ± 0.86), AL (4.34 ± 1.33), and % of BOP (66.0 ± 31.1) values were significantly greater compared to SubRemain values (2.84 ± 0.48, 3.37 ± 0.34, and 20.4 ± 24.1, respectively). Biofilm+ Cqs showed no association with the periodontal condition. Cqs from Nasopharynx/Oropharynx (Naso/Oro; n = 36) were similar between Biofilm+ and Biofilm‐ participants. Length of time since ICU intake, last Naso/Oro RT‐qPCR readings, onset of COVID‐19 symptoms, and biofilm samplings were greater for Biofilm‐. Conclusions ICU patients harbored SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in supragingival and subgingival biofilms, irrespective of the periodontal condition, and systemic viral load. The high number of positive patients highlights the need to better understand this habit to provide adequate oral care.