Polymorphism of the FcγRIIIa Gene and Post-treatment Apical Periodontitis

IntroductionPolymorphisms of genes encoding leukocyte surface receptors for the constant region of immunoglobulin G (FcγR) might influence the host response to infection and consequently affect the outcome of the endodontic treatment. This study investigated the association of FcγRIIIa gene (FcγRIIIA) polymorphism with post-treatment apical periodontitis in Brazilian subjects.MethodsThe study population consisted of 26 patients with post-treatment apical periodontitis and 43 subjects with root canal–treated teeth exhibiting healthy/healing periradicular tissues (controls). All teeth had apical periodontitis lesions at the time of treatment, which was completed at least 1 year previously. Saliva was collected from the participants; DNA was extracted and used for FcγRIIIA genotyping.ResultsNo significant associations were found between any specific genotype of FcγRIIIA (P = .63) or allele (P = .76) and post-treatment apical periodontitis. Overall, the most prevalent allele in the study population was FcγRIIIA-F158 (68.8%). The genotype V/F was the most common among the population, occurring in 50.7% of the subjects.ConclusionsData from the present study suggest that polymorphism in the FcγRIIIa does not influence the patient’s response to endodontic treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis.