Peridontal disease and its relationship with respiratory burst of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in pediatric patients with Down's syndrome [Enfermedad periodontal y su relación con estallido respiratorio de los leucocitos polimorfonucleares en pacientes pediátricos con síndrome de Down]

Objective. To compare the metabolic burst activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in peripheral blood and to know its association with periodontal disease (PD) in patients with Down syndrome (DS), having a control group of healthy subjects with and without PD. Methods. A cross sectional study was carried out; patients were divided in three groups: A. 20 DS patients with PD, B. 20 patients without DS but with PD, and C. 20 patients without DS and without PD. To evaluate periodontal disease the following indexes were used: plaque, calculus, gingival, mobility, attachment level, bleeding on probing and marginal bone loss. Burst activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in peripheral blood was estimated by flow cytometric assay. Results. Means of final and increased fluorescence showed that there was a statistically significant difference among groups (p=0.0001). All indexes related with PD were increased in DS group; these data shown that DS patients have a diminished function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Pronostic stratification indicated that PD is closely associated with SD, independently of the oral hygiene degree. Conclusion. High prevalence and severity of PD in patients with DS suggested that there is a compromised host response that could increase the risk of PD and other oral infections.

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