Quantitative Evaluation of Neutrophils in Different Stages of Periodontitis - A Histochemical Study

AbstractIntroduction: Neutrophils are key components of the innate immune response and play a critical role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. Their presence and activity can reflect the severity and progression of periodontitis. This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate neutrophil infiltration in gingival tissues across different stages of periodontitis using histochemical methods. Materials and Methods: Under aseptic condition 5 ml venous blood samples were collected from patients diagnosed with Stage 1 to Stage 4 periodontitis based on clinical and radiographic criteria. Histochemical staining was performed to identify and count neutrophils. The neutrophil counts were statistically analyzed and compared across the stages. Results: A statistically significant increase in neutrophil count was observed with advancing stages of periodontitis. Stage 1 tissues showed minimal neutrophil presence, whereas Stages 3 and 4 exhibited markedly elevated counts, indicating heightened inflammatory activity. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a positive correlation between neutrophil count and the severity of periodontitis. These findings reinforce the role of neutrophils in disease progression and highlight their potential as indicators of periodontal inflammation and tissue destruction. Keywords: Blood, Periodontitis, Probing Pocket Depth, Neutrophils