Análise quantitativa das células CD4 e sua importância no diagnóstico de lesões orais em pacientes HIV positivos

The oral manifestations due to HIV infection are, a lot of times, the first clinical signs of the disease. These injuries may also function as beepers and sentries of the curse and progression of the HIV infection and AIDS. The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of the oral injuries in HIV positive patients, relating them with the CD4+ cells counting and the viral load in patients from the Hospital of Infected contagious Gizelda Trigueiro in Natal-RN. One hundred and one patients were evaluated, where after the clinical exam of the oral cavity, these ones were conducted to the peripheral blood collection for the counting of CD4+ lymphocytes. We observed a prevalence of 25,6%, that is, 31 cases. The Oral Candidiasis was the most commum injure, followed by Oral Hairy Leukoplakia, linear gingival erytema, lips herpes, gingivitis and periodontitis - HIV. The average counting of cells CD4+ of the injury carrying patients was of 250 cells/mm3. We did not observe relation between the presence of injuries and the viral load of the individuals

Expressão imuno-histoquímica de IL-17, TGF-β1 e FOXP3 em ganulomas periapicais, cistos radiculares e cistos radiculares residuais

Periapical lesions are chronic inflammatory conditions of periradicular tissues considered direct consequences of infectious diseases resulting from pulp necrosis and subsequent progression to periapical region. The participation of the immune response and bone resorption in the formation of these lesions has been investigated, so that different cell types and cytokines have been identified as contributors to this process. In this perspective, this study aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of IL-17, TGF-β1 and FoxP3 in periapical granulomas (PGs), radicular cysts (RCs) and residual radicular cysts (RRCs), seeking a better understanding of the etiopathogenesis these periapicopatias. To this end, we selected 20 cases of GPs, 20 CRs and 10 RRCs to undergo morphological analysis and immunohistochemistry for biomarkers above, the latter being performed quantitatively using scores and average percentages of immunostaining for the analysis of IL-17 and TGF- β1, while for the FoxP3 were counted only the positive lymphocytes. The results showed statistically significant differences between TGF-β1 and FoxP3 imunoexpressions, in relation to the periapical lesions studied (p = 0.002, p <0.001, respectively) but not between IL-17 and these (p = 0.355). Furthermore, the analysis of lymphocytes FoxP3-positive revealed significant statistical differences in that refers to the intensity of inflammatory infiltrate (p = 0.003) and also regarding thickness of the epithelial lining (p = 0.009). Finally, it was observed in the case of PGs, strong positive correlation between the amount of FoxP3- positive lymphocytes and the immunohistochemical expression of TGF-β1 (r = 0.755, p<0.001), as well as moderate positive correlation between IL-17 and TGF-β1 imunoexpressions (r = 0.503, p = 0.024). Thus, we can conclude that interactions between Th17 and Treg cells seem to be established at the site of injury, suggesting the involvement of both pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of periapical lesions

Análise imuno-histoquímica das proteínas VEGF e HIF-1α na doença periodontal

Periodontal disease is a complex inflammatory and infectious condition that immune host, front of the microbial aggressions, can lead to disease progression, resulting in tissue destruction. The tissue damage induces the release of regulatory molecules, which protective roles and / or destructive, including proteins VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor vascular) and HIF-1 α (hypoxia-induced factor α -1). Thus, this study investigated, quantitatively and comparatively, the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and HIF-1 α (hypoxia induced factor 1-α), proteins involved in inflammation, angiogenesis and hypoxia, in human gingival tissues. Therefore, 75 samples of gingival tissues were examined. Thirty samples were chronic periodontitis, 30 with chronic gingivitis and 15 healthy gingival. After sections analysis, positives and negatives inflammatory and endothelial cells in the connective tissue were counted and converted into percentage. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman correlation. The results showed that both proteins marked. It was observed higher immunoreactivity for HIF-1 α at chronic gingivitis and periodontitis specimens compared to healthy sites, however, no statistically significant differences were observed among them (p>0.05). The VEGF immunostaining showed similarity among the cases of periodontitis, gingivitis and healthy gingiva. Moderate and positive correlation statistically significant differences were verified for the expressions of VEGF and HIF-1α in gingival health (r = 0,529, p = 0.04). Thus, it can be conclude that possibly the route of HIF-1 α, is activated in periodontal disease may have involvement of the protein in pathogenesis and progression of disease, and that activation of VEGF, can be in addition to being triggered transcription by HIF-1 α may be also influenced by other additional factors such as the action of periodontal microorganisms endotoxins

Estudo da influência de linfócitos tcd-8 e das células nk em casos de carcinoma epidermóide de lábio inferior sem metástase e com metástase e sua relação com a progressão da lesão

The presence of inflammatory cells within the tumor microenvironment plays a dual role that may contribute both to the progression and for inhibition of tumor growth. Recent studies suggest that the quality, not the quantity, of the inflammatory infiltrate is the most important determinant for prognosis. Therefore, TCD8 cells and natural killer cells are the main effector cells in combating cancer. The aim of this study was to assess, through the immunohistochemical study, the expression of TCD8 lymphocytes and NK cells in epidermoid carcinoma (EC) of the lower lip. The sample consisted of 32 specimens of EC of the lower lip, of which 16 had regional lymph node metastasis, and the 16 remaining, free of metastases. The total number of positive cells at the front of invasion were evaluated quantitatively and the results were related to clinical TNM staging, histological grade of malignancy and prognostic factors. It was observed for the group with metastasis, prevalence of stages III and IV (p<0.0001). Most patients with metastasis, had a high grade of malignancy (p=0.006). Most cases classified as high grade of malignancy had stages III and IV (p=0.032). Of the total sample, there were three cases of recurrence and five with death, however these variables were not statistically significant when associated with clinicopathological parameters. The immunostaining of CD8 and CD57, respectively, showed no statistically significant association with any of the clinicopathological parameters studied, metastasis (p=0.346, p=0.622), TNM classification (p=0.146, p=0.576), histological grade of malignancy (p=0.936, p=936), recurrence (p=0.075, p=0.075) and death (p=0.897, p=0.856). Believing in the function of the immunological system against malignant cells, it is concluded that the TD8 lymphocytes and NK cells, would be acting in the control of the progression of malignant neoplasms, but not in isolated manner

Avaliação da angiogênese em lesões de líquen plano oral e pênfigo vulgar

Oral lichen planus and pemphigus vulgaris are chronic diseases mucous membrane immune of unknown aetiology that can be observed affecting to the oral mucous. A relevant as regards neoplasies the role angiogenesis in the inflammatory chronic disease pathogenesis as it provides a substancial interest can be considered as being an activity diseases marker; besides being through specialised research of this angiogenic process to improve of understanding pathogenic mechanism. This research proposes to assess angiogenic active through of antibody immunohistochemistry expression antiCD34 antibody in 26 OLP of reticular cases, 14 OLP erosives cases, 18 of PV cases and 15 specimens of normal oral mucosa. The result was submitted non-parametric tests of 5% significance level. It is not statistically significant correlacion was seen regarding between average vessels. However, only be effectively observed the median of OLP cases was larger than pemphigus vulgaris in fact proved average larger than oral normal mucosa (p=0,280). Regarding the microvascular count of CD34 concerning clinic form oral lichen planus (reticular and erosion) increased emphasis is more cross-border average for the form erosion clinic. Despite of the statistic tests could not be more effective (p=0,720). Even though, the results of the research is not sufficient to enable to consider of angiogenic process in the pathogenesis and lesions progression of oral lichen planus and pemphigus vulgaris, we suggest this process is present in both forms lesion, however, more studies must be made in the near future in order to prepare a well-founded proposal

Resposta celular Th1 /Th2 na doença periodontal experimental, em ratos: um estudo imuno-histoquímico

Host response plays a major role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Mediators such as inflammatory cytokines which are secreted during the immune response to bacterial challenges have ambiguous functions that may or may not lead to protection of the attacked tissue. In this context, experimental evidence suggests that T-helper 1 (Th-1) and T-helper 2 (Th-2) mediated responses are potentially important during the disease process. The aims of this study therefore were to further clarify the role played by Th2 cells during different time points of the active phase of periodontal disease, as well as, to investigate whether there was any evidence of a Th1 response in the periodontal disease microenvironment. Experimental periodontitis was induced in 30 Wistar male rats by placing cotton ligatures around the mandibular first molars. The rats were then randomly divided into two groups. Group1 (G1=15) and Group 2 (G2=15). In G1 the ligatures were maintained for 2 days, whereas in G2 the ligatures were left for 15 days, a time point that corresponds to the advanced stage of periodontal disease The contra-lateral teeth served as controls (no ligatures). Immunohistochemical investigation for the presence in gingival tissue of Th2 specific transcription factor (GATA3) and the subunit of the IFN-γ receptor was carried out after the disease induction period. Light microscopy analysis revealed a decrease in the expression of GATA-3 as bone loss progressed. On the other hand, although IFN-γ R1 was detected at an early stage of the active phase of disease its expression remained unaltered during the remaining period of the study. These results indicate that the Th2 response have a protective role during the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and that the progression of the periodontal disease is related with the unbalance of the responses Th1/Th2

Eletromiografia de superfície da musculatura supra-hióidea durante a deglutição de idosos sem doenças neurológicas e idosos com Parkinson

OBJETIVO: investigar as diferenças entre os achados eletromiográficos dos músculos supra-hióideos direito e esquerdo durante a deglutição de um líquido e um pastoso fino, em sujeitos idosos com doença de Parkinson e idosos sem doença neurológica. MÉTODOS: 30 sujeitos de ambos os sexos participaram deste estudo, 15 idosos sem doença neurológica e os demais com doença de Parkinson. Todos foram submetidos a um protocolo de avaliação clínica e avaliação eletromiográfica de superfície. RESULTADOS: foram constatadas diferenças significantes nos valores entre os sujeitos (f=14.4 e p= 0.000) e entre os lados (f=4.4 e p=0.0037). em relação ao tempo de duração da contração muscular durante a deglutição as diferenças foram significantes apenas entre as consistências (f=8.2 e p=0.005). CONCLUSÃO: a amplitude eletromiográfica foi menor nos sujeitos com doença de Parkinson e maior nos músculos supra-hiódeos do lado direito em ambos os grupos. A duração da contração muscular não diferiu significativamente entre os sujeitos com doença de Parkinson e idosos sem doença neurológica e foi menor para a consistência líquida.

Condição peri-implantar e fatores associados às doenças peri-implantares em pacientes reabilitados no serviço odontológico da faculdade de odontologia da UFRN

A introdução dos implantes dentários osseointegrados como uma ferramenta na reabilitação oral de pacientes edêntulos e parcialmente edêntulos é uma realidade no cotidiano do cirurgião-dentista. Estudos reportam uma alta taxa de sucesso da utilização de implantes no tratamento reabilitador. Entretanto, outras investigações têm mostrado a perda desses implantes devido a infecções peri-implantares, como a mucosite e a peri-implantite. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a frequência das doenças peri-implantares e seus fatores associados em pacientes com implantes dentais em função reabilitados no serviço odontológico da Faculdade de Odontologia da UFRN. Foram examinados 155 indivíduos portadores de 523 implantes e 2718 dentes. Dentes e implantes foram avaliados por meio de sondagem periodontal, observando-se a profundidade de sondagem, retração gengival, bem como foram avaliados índices de placa visível (IPV) e sangramento gengival (ISG) e presença de supuração. Os dados foram armazenados em fichas clínicas e avaliados estatisticamente por meio da estatística descritiva e inferencial. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 54,05 (± 12,61) anos, sendo 79,4% do sexo feminino. As frequências da mucosite, peri-implantite e periodontite em indivíduos foram 54%, 28% e 50%, respectivamente. Dos 523 implantes avaliados, 43% tinham mucosite, 14% peri-implantite e 43% saúde. Os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Exato de Fisher mostraram que as doenças peri-implantares estão associadas as doenças periodontais, uso de medicação, alterações sistêmicas número de implantes, IPV, ISG, ao tempo de função das próteses, região do implante, número de roscas expostas e faixa de mucosa queratinizada (p<0,05). A análise de regressão múltipla, através da regressão binária logística, constatou que indivíduos que faziam uso de medicação (OR = 1,784), com um ISG > 10% (OR = 1,742), com implantes instalados na maxila (OR = 2,654), onde a prótese sobre o implante tinham mais de 2 anos em função (OR = 3,144) e que radiograficamente apresentavam uma perda óssea atingindo a terceira rosca do implante (OR = 4,701) mostram uma associação positiva com as doenças peri-implantares de maneira que esses indivíduos têm mais chances de ter essas doenças. Os resultados sugerem que a frequência das doenças peri-implantares na população em estudo foi de 82% dos pacientes e que estas doenças estão associadas a fatores relacionados aos indivíduos como: a presença da doença periodontal, piores IPV e IS, alterações sistêmicas, uso de medicação e maior número de implantes; e a fatores locais relacionados aos implantes como: ausência ou faixa de mucosa menor que 2mm, implantes na maxila e na região anterior, perda óssea atingindo a terceira rosca do implante e a um tempo de reabilitação prótetica maior que 2 anos

Doenças respiratórias associadas à atividade de mineração no município de Parelhas, região do seridó norte-riograndense

This work aims to characterize the workers in mineral activities exposed to lung injuries in Parelhas Municipality, Rio Grande do Norte State, seeking to relate respiratory diseases to the mining activity. The studied area (Parelhas City), with about 19,700 inhabitants, is located in the Serido region, approximately 232 km far from Natal City. The number of people involved in informal mining activity (garimpo) in the Seridó region reaches about 5,000. These workers generally do not use any kind of individual protection equipments and develop, at early ages of greater productivity, severe forms of diseases, which end up disabling them to professional activities, family and social life. Deceases by respiratory problems (e.g. silicosis) have been reported in very young adults. A descriptive observational study was conducted based on information from the records found in Dr. José Augusto Dantas Hospital, between the years 1996- 2006. The occupational and socio-economic features of the population, which was selected by using the hospital records, were achieved through individually answered forms. The purpose was to link the occupational activities with the respiratory diseases. The next stage of the research was an observational case-control study, in the 1:1 proportion. The achieved data allowed confirming the central hypothesis of the research, which states that the pneumoconiosis cases are due to the mineral-based activities in the studied area. The final step of the investigation tried to assess the knowledge of relatives of students in public and private elementary and high schools from Parelhas City, regarding silicosis. About 15.4% of urban schools were analyzed through application of a structured questionnaire. The results show distinct socio-economic levels and a difference in the perception of the relatives of students in public and private schools, concerning silicosis. It was possible to identify the characteristics of the population economically involved with mineral-based activities and to define the group that deserves preferential attention in preventive actions. The work indicates some environmental problems caused by inadequate mining operations in the region

Culicídeos vetores em uma unidade de conservação da caatinga na região do seridó no Rio Grande do Norte aspectos da transmissão de doenças

The scarcity of occurrence records of culicid species, transmitting insects of etiologic agents for arboviruses, protozoan diseases and philarioses, and lack of information about their interactions with the forest environment make the Caatinga one of the most unknown biomes in Brazil. The aim of this study was to identify culicid species in a conservation unit located in a preserved area of the Caatinga and the possible associations with local abiotic factors, as well as characterize the natural and artificial ecotopes present in the Caatinga of Rio Grande do Norte state. The Ecological Station of Serido (ESEC-Seridó) is a Caatinga Conservation Unit located in a rural area of Rio Grande do Norte. The hot and dry climate of the Caatinga, along with a short rainy season, favor the adaptation and resistance of plants, resulting in completely distinct landscapes over the course of the year. The study took place over the course of one year, with monthly collections between 10h-12h, 14h-16h and 18h-20h. Adult mosquitoes were collected in a forest area using a manual suction trap with human bait as attractant at the three times and a Shannon trap for night collections. During the rainy season ovitraps were randomly distributed at different sites. The different capture sites were observed and photographed. Immature and adult insects captured were taken to the laboratory for identification. Of the 5081 insects collected in human-bait and Shannon traps, 75% were Mansonia wilsoni. In addition, Aedeomyia, Aedes, Anopheles, Coquillettidia, Culex, Haemagogus, Mansonia and Psorophora were identified. Of the 92 Haemagogus eggs found, 71 were collected on the banks of a reservoir. Mosquito larvae were found and photographed in an artificial breeding site of a neighboring rural area. Humidity had the greatest influence on culicid density in the Caatinga. Rain was important in the appearance of Haemagogus, Anopheles, Aedes and Psorophora. Temperature had a negative influence on Anopheles triannulatus. The occurence of important vector species of diseases in a little known preserved area of the Caatinga as well as environmental and sociocultural questions are factors that favor the emergence of transmitting insects, making these areas potential subject to the resurgence of diseases

Doenças de Veiculação Hídrica em Trechos da Bacia do Rio Piranhas-Assu: ocorrência de bactérias oportunistas, caracterização epidemiológica e concepções de professores e agentes de saúde

Water is essential to life and all living organisms and their supply is necessary for economic development and quality of life of human populations, but their quality has been altered by human actions. In semi-arid northeast, the water is an issue of concern, especially its quality. This region is common to the construction of reservoirs that capture rain water, streams and temporary rivers in search of ease this situation, being intended for various purposes. Water scarcity is a limiting factor for the economic and social development of the region and contributes to the maintenance of waterborne diseases. About 80% of diseases that occur in developing countries are infected by waterborne pathogens. Therefore, this study aimed to determine in two environments that are part of semilênticos Armando Ribeiro Gonçalves reservoir, and a stretch of the river Assu, all located in the semiarid RN, the occurrence of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria; check the conceptions of teachers and health workers about the issues "waterborne diseases" and "bacteria" and a diagnosis of diarrheal diseases that affect the population in some municipalities of the semi-arid region of RN from a survey of epidemiological data. For identification of bacteria using commercial kits and the diagnosis of diarrheal disease was based on information from databases. The previous conceptions of teachers and health workers were obtained through questionnaires. The results confirmed the presence of opportunistic bacteria in the studied area, showing the importance of monitoring water quality. There was an under-reporting of cases of diarrhea pointing out flaws in the monitoring of Diarrheal Diseases and indicating the need to improve it. It was felt also the need to implement educational activities on topics dealt with both with teachers and health workers, since they were identified misconceptions on the subject

A curva de regressão da gonadotrofina coriônica humana é útil no diagnóstico precoce da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional pós-molar?

OBJETIVO: avaliar a utilidade da curva de regressão normal da gonadotrofina coriônica humana (hCG) no diagnóstico precoce de neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional pós-molar (NTG). MÉTODOS: estudo longitudinal, incluindo 105 pacientes com mola hidatiforme completa (MHC) acompanhadas no Centro de Doenças Trofoblásticas de Botucatu, entre 1998 e 2005. Os títulos da hCG sérica foram mensurados quinzenalmente em todas as pacientes. Curvas individuais de regressão da hCG das 105 pacientes foram estabelecidas. A comparação entre a curva de regressão normal estabelecida em nosso serviço com as curvas individuais da hCG foi usada no rastreamento e diagnóstico (platô/ascensão) de NTG. O número de semanas pós-esvaziamento quando a hCG excedeu o limite normal foi comparado com o número semanas em que a hCG apresentou platô/ascensão. RESULTADOS: das 105 pacientes com MHC, 80 apresentaram remissão espontânea (RE) e 25 desenvolveram NTG. Das 80 pacientes com RE, 7 (8,7%) apresentaram, inicialmente, dosagem da hCG acima do normal, mas, no devido tempo, alcançaram a remissão. Todas as 25 pacientes com NTG apresentaram desvio da curva normal da hCG em 3,8±2,5 semanas e mostraram platô ou ascensão em 8,4±2,9 semanas (p<0,001). CONCLUSÕES: a curva de regressão normal da hCG pós-molar pode ser útil para diagnóstico de NTG.

Proposta de questionário para caracterização da prevalência de sintomas digestivos nas doenças difusas do tecido conjuntivo

RACIONAL: As doenças difusas do tecido conjuntivo afetam vários sistemas orgânicos, inclusive o digestório. Neste, as lesões variam em intensidade e freqüência na dependência da doença envolvida. A descrição das diferentes manifestações digestivas tem sido pouco freqüente, pouco detalhada e, não raro, baseada em experiências individuais e levantamentos retrospectivos. Tais formas de registro de dados produzem resultados muitas vezes conflitantes entre as diferentes casuísticas. OBJETIVO: Estabelecer de forma mais consistente, por intermédio de entrevista e questionário predefinido de sintomas, o conjunto e freqüência dos sintomas digestivos observados na esclerose sistêmica progressiva, artrite reumatóide, polimiosite/dermatomiosite, doença mista do tecido conjuntivo e lúpus eritematoso sistêmico. PACIENTES E MÉTODO: Estudaram-se 99 pacientes, 90% mulheres, com idade média de 45 anos. do total, 35 tinham artrite reumatóide, 26 esclerose sistêmica progressiva, 21 lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, 12 dermatomiosite/polimiosite e 5 doença mista do tecido conjuntivo. Todos foram submetidos, por investigador treinado, a entrevista e preenchimento de um questionário de sintomas digestivos, composto de 17 itens, previamente definidos. RESULTADOS: O estudo revelou elevada prevalência de sintomas gastrointestinais nas cinco doenças investigadas, muitas vezes afetando mais de 50% dos casos. Chamou a atenção a presença significativa de sintomas negligenciados pela literatura como a incontinência fecal. Discordante de trabalhos anteriores, os pacientes desta série com artrite reumatóide apresentaram variadas queixas digestivas, surpreendendo o achado de disfagia em 1/3 deles. CONCLUSÕES: As doenças difusas do tecido conjuntivo são causas de freqüentes e numerosos sintomas digestivos. O uso de questionários predefinidos mostrou-se instrumento válido na identificação de substancial número de sintomas, alguns deles ainda não referidos pela literatura. Por fim, foi constatada escassez de trabalhos passados e atuais relativos às manifestações gastrointestinais das doenças difusas do tecido conjuntivo, o que prejudicou análises comparativas mais amplas.

Transporte eletrônico e propriedades termodinâmicas de nanobiomoléculas

We use a tight-binding formulation to investigate the transmissivity and the currentvoltage (I_V) characteristics of sequences of double-strand DNA molecules. In order to reveal the relevance of the underlying correlations in the nucleotides distribution, we compare theresults for the genomic DNA sequence with those of arti_cial sequences (the long-range correlated Fibonacci and RudinShapiro one) and a random sequence, which is a kind of prototype of a short-range correlated system. The random sequence is presented here with the same _rst neighbors pair correlations of the human DNA sequence. We found that the long-range character of the correlations is important to the transmissivity spectra, although the I_V curves seem to be mostly inuenced by the short-range correlations. We also analyze in this work the electronic and thermal properties along an _-helix sequence obtained from an _3 peptide which has the uni-dimensional sequence (Leu-Glu-Thr- Leu-Ala-Lys-Ala)3. An ab initio quantum chemical calculation procedure is used to obtain the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) as well as their charge transfer integrals, when the _-helix sequence forms two di_erent variants with (the so-called 5Q variant) and without (the 7Q variant) _brous assemblies that can be observed by transmission electron microscopy. The di_erence between the two structures is that the 5Q (7Q) structure have Ala ! Gln substitution at the 5th (7th) position, respectively. We estimate theoretically the density of states as well as the electronic transmission spectra for the peptides using a tight-binding Hamiltonian model together with the Dyson's equation. Besides, we solve the time dependent Schrodinger equation to compute the spread of an initially localized wave-packet. We also compute the localization length in the _nite _-helix segment and the quantum especi_c heat. Keeping in mind that _brous protein can be associated with diseases, the important di_erences observed in the present vi electronic transport studies encourage us to suggest this method as a molecular diagnostic tool

Análise imuno-histoquímica de proteínas relacionadas às respostas Th1, Th2 e Th17 na doença periodontal

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition of infectious nature characterized by destruction of protecting and supporting dental tissues. It happens as a response produced by the host when attacked by microorganisms. Several factors are involved in this process. Among them, cytokines are key regulatory molecules in this immune response, playing a role either protective and/or destructive in lesion progression. Thus, this study investigated the immunohistochemical expression of IFN- , GATA-3, IL-17, IL-23, IL-6 and TGF- in gingival tissues of humans, in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the participation of Th1, Th2 and Th17 immune responses in the development of periodontal disease processes. To this end, eighty-two samples of gingival tissues were divided into three groups: Group 1 = 15 (samples of healthy gum tissue as controls), Group 2 = 36 (samples with chronic gingivitis) and Group 3 = 31 (samples with chronic periodontitis). All cases were submitted to morphological analysis from sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then subjected to staining by immunohistochemistry using the streptavidin-biotin method. Results showed positive labeling for all proteins. Nonetheless, we observed a greater expression of Th1 cytokines and Th17 cells in group 3. We found statistically significant difference between TGF- expression and the clinical condition of the samples (p=0.02). We conclude that Th1 and Th17 responses may act synergistically in the destructive process of periodontal tissue, overlapping the Th2 response that was also present in these tissues