Necrotizing periodontitis in the context of Takayasu s disease: Report of a case

Abstract

Necrotizing periodontitis is characterized by gingival necrosis with bleeding and pain, and alveolar bone attachment loss. The disease is associated to spirochete and Prevotella intermedia infection, as well as to a series of bacterial infections, with an altered local host immune response and tissue destruction. We present the case of a 40-year-old woman with inflammatory vasculitis of the aorta and its main branches, known as Takayasu’s disease. In the course of treatment of the latter, she developed necrotizing periodontitis. In this case local factors such as abundant bacterial plaque accumulation secondary to a lack of tooth brushing, and the administration of methotrexate, may have played a role. The clinical condition improved notoriously after emergency treatment with local antiseptics and tartar removal