Biofilm-forming bacteria in atherosclerotic plaques in patients with cardiovascular diseases and chronic periodontitis

Abstract

The identification of viable, previously undetectable types of microbes in human atherosclerotic plaques provides new evidence of direct and indirect participation of microbiota in the etiopathogenesis of non-infectious human diseases. Purpose of the study. Isolation and determination of the composition of viable microbes in atherosclerotic plaques and comparative analysis with the microbiota of the oral fluid in patients with chronic generalized periodontitis (CP) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and methods. Fragments of atherosclerotic plaques isolated during coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with coronary artery disease and chronic periodontitis were cultured in a fluid system under anaerobic conditions. Isolated microbes were identified using bacteriological methods of research and polymerase chain reaction. The presence of biofilms was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Results. Twelve patients with CP and CAD were examined. Biofilms containing genetic markers of at least one type of microbiota were isolated from all atherosclerotic plaques after cultivation in a fluid system and anaerobic conditions. They included DNA of periodontal pathogens, some pathogens of purulent-inflammatory diseases, herpesviruses and Candida spp., as well as viable microbes. In the examined patients, a comparative analysis of the composition of the isolated microbiota from atherosclerotic plaques and oral fluid microbes was performed. Conclusions. A method for modeling biofilms based on fluid technology allows detecting previously undetectable types of microbiota in the walls of blood vessels and atherosclerotic plaques in sufficient quantities to identify and study their properties.