The effects of immunosuppressive drugs on periodontal inflammation in human renal allograft patients.

The periodontal status of four kidney allograft patients was determined before and at periodic intervals for 9 months after receipt of the allografts. These patients received immunosuppressive drugs as part of their therapy, beginning at the time of transplantation. Three hemodialysis patients with analogous kidney disease and six eye patients who were otherwise healthy served as controls. Comparisons of plaque levels, pocket depths and gingival inflammation were made between the three groups of subjects. The results suggest that the administration of the immunosuppressive drugs significantly reduces the level of gingival inflammation in the presence of high levels of bacterial plaque. Pocket depths did not change significantly in eigher the allograft or control groups. Whole not conclusive, the findings support the hypothesis that host inflammatory and immunological responsiveness to plaque bacteria is a primary factor in the pathogenesis of destructive periodontal disease in humans.