Association of Actinomyces Israelii with Pyogenic Granuloma - A RT-QPCR Study

Abstract

Background Pyogenic granuloma is a benign vascular non-neoplastic inflammatory lesion that may be re-active to trauma hormonal changes and chronic local irritation. Occasionally they occur as a result of the invasion of microorganisms secondary to minor trauma. Actinomyces species are one of the normal habitants of the oral cavity that tend to penetrate submucosal tissues when there is a disruption in the mucosal barrier and cause pathology. Actinomyces israelii a gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium is an opportunistic pathogen that is difficult to culture. Molecular analyses a polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing will identify bacterial species and strains that are difficult or impossible to grow in artificial culture media.Methodology A total of 15 paraffin-embedded pyogenic granuloma samples were taken. All samples were subjected to molecular analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction with forward and reverse primers of Actinomyces israelii.Result Out of 15 samples 13 samples 86.7 had expressed Actinomyces israelii gene sequence with good mean CT value suggesting that Actinomyces israelii have an association with pyogenic granuloma. There was a weak negative correlation r - 0.022 between age and CT value and the correlation was found to be statistically insignificant p0.943.Conclusion The anterior region of the oral cavity is more prone to trauma and thereby might act as a source for breaking the mucosal barrier which can be a route for microorganisms to establish their association with pyogenic granuloma. These microorganisms may play a role in recurrence. Identification of the causative organisms of irritation could serve as a tool for the radical treatment of pyogenic granulomas.