Porphyromonas gingivalis and Epstein‐Barr Virus Are Associated With Increased Levels of Visfatin in Gingival Crevicular Fluid

Background: There is little clinical information on the relationship between periodontopathogens and visfatin. The purpose of this study is to determine visfatin levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of healthy individuals and patients with periodontitis and to investigate the possible relationship between this adipokine and the presence and levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescense, and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV). Methods: Eighteen healthy individuals and 27 patients with periodontitis were included in this study. GCF and plaque samples were obtained from all individuals. Visfatin levels were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and the bacterial numbers were evaluated by the reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction method. Results: In patients with periodontitis, the visfatin levels in the GCF (mean: 84.29 ng/mL; range: 63.8 to 108.9 ng/mL) were significantly higher compared with those of the healthy individuals (mean: 38.06 ng/mL; range: 13.8 to 89.02 ng/mL) (P