VIrus and BacteRia In Oral Disease: the EBV model in periodontitis

ended

"Periodontal disease, conditions that affect the structures surrounding the teeth, is the most common disease of mankind (listed #1 in 2001 Guinness World Records). The total economic impact of periodontal disease represents the major component of the $442 billion direct and indirect expenditures of oral diseases incurred worldwide in 2010. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, causing aesthetic effect as well as affecting chewing and speech. Beyond oral health, it is associated with systemic diseases and even with cancer risk. Obviously, periodontitis represents a major global health problem with significant social and economic impact. Development of effective therapies, therefore, requires deeper insights into the etiopathogenesis of the periodontal disease. The focus has traditionally been that pathogenesis occurs when the balance between the oral microbial biofilm and the host is lost, owing to dysbiosis and immune overreaction of the host to microbial presence. However, bacterial-host interaction alone does not adequately explain the clinical features of the disease. Recently, a new paradigm was proposed in pathogenesis involving a viral and bacterial combination to promote long-term chronic inflammatory disease. The project VIBRiOD will be focused on the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis based on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–pathogenic bacterial biofilm–human immunity response synergies. Specifically, the VIBRiOD aims to understand 1) EBV behaviour during periodontitis and relationship to dysbiosis, 2) bidirectional interaction of dysbiosis and EBV activation, 3) tridirectional relationship of dysbiosis, EBV activation and host immune response. The multidisciplinary nature of the project is strong, involving a combination of classic to modern approaches of microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and virology. The results have the potential to contribute to the advancement of periodontitis research and ultimate control of the disease."