SHIMANE, Japan: Researchers at the faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Japan, have found that the gingival sulcus could be an entry point for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which has been responsible for COVID-19.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission is facilitated by respiratory droplets and aerosols from the mouth of infected patients. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been considered the most functional protein for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Tatsuo Okui, the leading author of the research, and colleagues have first revealed the positive proportion of ACE2 expression in gingival cells of the gingival sulcus was increased to the same level as in the tongue. For the research purpose, they used oral liquid-based cytology, a non-invasive, convenient and standard diagnostic procedure for oral mucosal lesions, to provide the first report on ACE2 expression in human oral tissue, the tongue, gingiva, and palate.
The researchers took the specimen from 20 participants. None of them was using the ACE2 inhibitors. However, 50 per cent of the individuals were smokers and alcoholics.
The finding revealed an increased proportion of ACE2 inhibitors in the gingiva and tongue than in the palate. In addition, there was no association of ACE2 values with age, sex, drinking and smoking. In addition, it also indicated that the inflammatory gingival sulcus had been a novel shedding route of SARS-CoV-2. Special periodontal treatment by dental professionals may decrease the expression of ACE-2 in the gingival sulcus cells. Hence, it would prevent SARS-CoV-2 viral attachment and penetration via ACE-2 protein.
The researchers conclude that the evaluation of oral tissue liquid-based cytology with the help of liquid-based cytology may provide a novel preventive medical avenue against COVID-19.
The research “Oral Mucosa Could Be an Infectious Target of SARS-CoV-2” has been recently published online in the journal Healthcare.
