Effects of Acute Febrile Diseases on the Periodontium of Rhesus Monkeys with Reference to Poliomyelitis

Abstract

As part of an investigation of the relationship between systemic disease and periodontal state of health, 19 rhesus monkeys were inoculated with poliomyelitis virus and developed acute poliomyelitis with high fever. Seven healthy monkeys were kept as controls. Clinical and histologic examination of the gingiva was performed before and during the exptl. period. The animals were sacrificed when they reached the moribund stage and the periodontal tissues were examined together with specimens from temporomandibular joints, tibia, and internal organs. The control animals were examined in the same way. No changes attributable to poliomyelitis were observed in the periodontium. Special connective tissue stains did not reveal any structural changes in the collagenous fibers in jounts or periodontal tissues. An association was noted between accumulation of debris on the teeth and gingivitis. Gingivitis was observed more frequently and found to be more severe around deciduous than permanent teeth.