Interleukin-1β Production in Periradicular Lesions in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Model Compared with a Noninfected Host

This study elucidates the role of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in developing periradicular lesions in immunocompetent and immunocompromised (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) hosts. Eight cats were immunosuppressed with steroids before infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Eight uninoculated cats served as controls. Periradicular lesions were induced around the canine teeth. At 1 and 4 wk periradicular exudate was sampled via the root canals. IL-1β levels were measured with ELISA. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Statistically significant differences existed in cytokine levels between the FIV and non-FIV groups (p < 0.001). Cytokines were below detectable levels in the FIV group. A significant decrease in IL-1β levels at 4 wk compared with 1 wk occured in the non-FIV group (p < 0.05). In conclusion decreased IL-1β production was obtained in the FIV group. In the non-FIV group decreases in IL-1β levels were encountered at the chronic stage of the periradicular lesion compared with the acute stage.