Abstract
The gram-negative bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major causative agent of periodontitis in adults. It is also associated with disorders of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatic cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in the oral cavity or introduced as probiotic preparations can support successful treatment of periodontitis due to their antagonism with the pathogen. The aim of this study was in vitro assessment of the antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus thermophilus against P. gingivalis. The antimicrobial effect of lactobacilli or S. thermophilus from the LBB Culture collection against P. gingivalis DSM 20709 was evaluated with the well diffusion assay on Wilkins Chalgren blood agar. Inhibition of the pathogen was evaluated by measuring the diameter of clear zones around the wells. Application of milk fermented with selected LAB resulted in а bacteriostatic effect. The most active culture was S. thermophilus 187/4, followed by L. delbr. ssp. bulgaricus (LBB.B1054, C3/2 and LBB.B120), L. helveticus LBB.H48/1 and L. rhamnosus I-1/13. The respective reconstituted freeze-dried preparations had a stronger inhibitory effect on the pathogen with the formation of clear bactericidal zones. The effect of milk acidified with lactic acid was apparent with minimal bactericidal zone observed at concentration of 0.1%. The effectiveness of the assay was confirmed with Elgydium and Eludril. P. gingivalis DSM 20709 was sensitive to the metabolites produced in fermented milk by selected strains of L. delbr. ssp. bulgaricus, L. helveticus, L. rhamnosus, and S. thermophilus. Reconstituted freeze dried fermented milk had а stronger inhibitory effect compared to fresh samples. Lactic acid produced by lactic acid bacteria was the key component for inhibition of the pathogen.
Highlights
The gram-negative bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major causative agent of periodontitis in adults
In the agar well diffusion assay, fermented milk or reconstituted freeze-dried fermented milk containing viable Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was introduced into the wells
A limited zone of LAB growth around the wells was observed for some strains, followed either by a clear zone of bactericidal effect against the pathogen or a zone of bacteriostatic effect with partially inhibited growth of P. gingivalis
Summary
The gram-negative bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major causative agent of periodontitis in adults. Extensive data of case-controlled studies have been accumulated proving a statistically significant relationship between the presence of P. gingivalis and periodontal diseases.[3] Sato et al.[4] showed that P. gingivalis is responsible for the aggravation of collagen-induced arthritis mainly due to the synthesis of peptidyl arginine deiminase that produces rheumatoid arthritis-related auto-antigens. Their results from experiments with mice demonstrated that P. gingivalis was a mediator between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis through its activity on the intestinal immune system and microflora. Singhrao et al.[6] discuss the potential link between P. gingivalis periodontal infection and Alzheimer’s disease
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