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Viral Etiology of Gingival Recession. A Case Report
Author(s) -
Prato G. Pini,
Rotundo R.,
Magnani C.,
Ficarra G.
Publication year - 2002
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 - 10.1902/jop.2002.73.1.110
Subject(s) - medicine , gingival recession , gingival margin , lesion , gingival sulcus , gingivitis , biopsy , connective tissue , surgery , pathology , dentistry
Herpes simplex virus‐type 1 (HSV‐1) is responsible for both primary and recurrent infections of the oral mucosa. The aim of this case report is to show how HSV‐1 may cause periodontal damage such as gingival recession. A 26‐year‐old male patient presented in a private office for the treatment of gingival recessions. He reported that the recessions had appeared suddenly with marginal inflammation of the gingiva and vesicle formation; within a few hours, the gingival tissue had been completely destroyed. The lesions were accompanied by pain, fever, and regional lymphadenopathy. Two weeks later, the patient returned complaining of a recurrence accompanied by pain and lymphadenopathy. The following day, the patient's condition had worsened and the depth of the recession had increased. A biopsy was taken for histological examination. A free epithelial‐connective tissue graft was performed. Histological and direct immunofluorescence examinations confirmed the herpetic origin of the lesion. Eight months after surgery, a new herpetic lesion was detected in correspondence to the gingival margin of the first lower right premolar; therefore, acyclovir was prescribed. After 1 week, the antiviral therapy was completely successful; the gingival lesion disappeared, and no recession of the soft tissue margin was observed. Based on these clinical features, diagnosis of gingival recession induced by HSV‐1 must be carried out at an early stage to establish a successful therapy. J Periodontol 2002;73: 110‐114.