Dental and microbiological status of COVID-19 convalescent patients with simple marginal gingivitis

The pattern of dental morbidity in the population of the Russian Federation evidences about a high incidence of inflammatory periodontal diseases, which varies based on patient age and comorbidity. The negative age-related dynamics of dental health emphasizes the problem of concomitant pathology and requires constant monitoring of risk factors for inflammatory periodontal diseases. Insufficient attention is paid to endogenous risk factors, such as neurodystrophic disorders, diseases of the cardiovascular system, leukemia, anemia, gastrointestinal tract diseases, infections, etc. At the same time, the growth of “new” infections (HIV-infection, HCV-infection, Ebola fever, new coronavirus infection) is recorded with elevating level of other infectious diseases. The aim of the study is to assess dental and microbiological status of COVID-19 convalescent patients. A survey of 100 patients diagnosed with simple marginal gingivitis (ICD-10 code: K 05.10) was carried out consisting of the following groups: main group — 75 COVID-19 convalescent patients, control group — 25 COVID-19-negative subjects. All individuals underwent microbiological diagnostics for gingival groove contents and an assessed dental status. The index assessment was performed using the simplified Green-Vermillion Oral Hygiene Index (OHI-S), the PMA index (Parma) and the gingival papilla blood flow index (PBI). In the laboratory, the collected material was seeded onto expanded list of dense nutrient media. The identification of isolated microorganisms was carried out using MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. Our analysis of the index assessment in both groups showed that the average values of the indices 1 month after the diagnosis of new coronavirus infection (ICD-10 code: U07.1) in main group are higher than in control group. Based on the results of a microbiological study, significant differences in the frequency of microbial species isolation were identified for 12 species. Thus, it is important to develop approaches to predicting development of chronic gingivitis and its exacerbation in COVID-19 patients.