Oral shedding of human herpesviruses and cytokine profiles in children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5327/2525-5711.467Keywords:
Cytokines, Saliva, Cancer survivors, Oral shedding, Human herpesvirusesAbstract
Objective
To characterize oral shedding of human herpesviruses (HHVs) and their association with salivary inflammatory cytokines in children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 65 participants: 39 in the study group (SG) and 26 in the control group (CG). Unstimulated saliva was analyzed by PCR for viral detection and quantification, and cytokines levels ((IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) were measured using the Luminex® platform. Descriptive, comparative, and correlation analyses were performed (p < 0.05).
Results
In the SG, the most frequently detected viruses were HHV-7, HHV-6, EBV, and CMV. The HHV-7 viral load was significantly greater in the SG than in the CG (6.5 vs. 5.8 cp/mL; p = 0.0288). Only IL-4 differed significantly, with higher levels in the SG (8.4 vs. 7.2 pg/mL; p = 0.0374). Weak correlations were found between CMV and IL-6 (r = 0.34; p = 0.0095) and between HHV-6 and TNF-α (r = –0.33; p = 0.0125).
Conclusion
Chemotherapy was associated with increased HHV-7 viral load and IL-4 levels, suggesting possible alterations in the oral immune environment, even in the absence of clinical manifestations. Overall, viral load had minimal influence on salivary inflammatory cytokines.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Wallena Albuquerque da Cunha, Patricia Shibutani , Fabiana Martins e Martins de Oliveira , Luiz Alberto Valente Soares Júnior , Paulo Henrique Braz-Silva, Marina Gallottini
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