The clinic, immunologic and microbiologic evaluation of the association between cystic fibrosis and periodontal status

The aim of this study was to evaluate periodontal status of cystic fibrosis patients, to measure level of cytokines and biochemical molecules in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and to detect presence of P. aeruginosa in oral plaque samples. GCF and oral plaque samples were collected from 41 cystic fibrosis patients and 39 healthy subjects. GCF volume values were recorded. Level of IL-1ß, IL-17, IL-10, ELA2, CFTR, and ß-defensin-1 were detected by ELISA method. Oral plaque samples were evaluated by using EMB broth, MHB broth, and PCR. Level of IL-1ß, ELA2, and ß-defensin-1 in cystic fibrosis patients were significantly higher than control subjects. However, level of IL-10 in cystic fibrosis patients was significantly lower than healthy control subjects. Although P. aeruginosa were observed in four samples of 18 cystic fibrosis patients, none was detected in control subjects. As a result of this study, which is the first study aiming to detect levels of immunologic and biochemical parameters in GCF and to evaluate periodontal status, CF causes hyper pro-inflammation response and low anti-inflammation response, locally. Due to this pro-inflammatory balance, patients with CF should be followed-up more often than healthy individuals and CF should be classified as high-risk systemic disorders for periodontal diseases. Key Words: Cystic fibrosis, periodontal status, gingival crevicular fluid, cytokine, Pseudomonas aeruginosa