Periodontopathic Bacterial Species Research Articles

Distribution of periodontopathic bacterial species between saliva and tonsils.

Periodontopathic bacteria cause an inflammatory disease localized in the periodontal tissue and are associated with various conditions in other body parts. The distribution of periodontopathic bacterial species in the tonsils is unknown, even though the tonsils are located close to the oral cavity, and inflammation of the tonsils causes various systemic diseases. We detected the major periodontopathic bacterial species residing in saliva and tonsil specimens from 25 subjects undergoing tonsillectomy. Nine of the ten major periodontopathic bacterial species were detected by polymerase chain reaction of tonsil specimens, among which Campylobacter rectus was the most common (80.0%), followed by Porphyromonas gingivalis (36.0%). The other seven types of periodontopathic bacterial species were distributed with 0% to 25.0% abundance in the tonsil specimens. C. rectus had a high detection rate in tonsil specimens (> 75.0%), regardless of whether it was detected in the corresponding saliva specimens. However, the detection rate for P. gingivalis in tonsil specimens was significantly higher in subjects with P. gingivalis-positive saliva (77.8%) than in those with P. gingivalis-negative saliva (6.3%; P < 0.001). Furthermore, 75.0% of P. gingivalis in tonsil specimens did not have the known fimA gene that encodes the 41-kDa filamentous appendage protein FimA, which is expressed on the cell surface of the bacteria. Our results suggest that certain periodontopathic bacterial species are detected in the tonsils either independently of or depending on their distribution in the oral cavity and may be involved in tonsil-related diseases.

Relationship between IgA Nephropathy and Porphyromonas gingivalis; Red Complex of Periodontopathic Bacterial Species.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has been considered to have a relationship with infection in the tonsil, because IgAN patients often manifest macro hematuria just after tonsillitis. In terms of oral-area infection, the red complex of periodontal bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Treponema denticol (T. denticola) and Tannerella forsythia (T. forsythia)) is important, but the relationship between these bacteria and IgAN remains unknown. In this study, the prevalence of the red complex of periodontal bacteria in tonsil was compared between IgAN and tonsillitis patients. The pathogenicity of IgAN induced by P. gingivalis was confirmed by the mice model treated with this bacterium. The prevalence of P. gingivalis and T. forsythia in IgAN patients was significantly higher than that in tonsillitis patients (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). A total of 92% of tonsillitis patients were free from red complex bacteria, while only 48% of IgAN patients had any of these bacteria. Nasal administration of P. gingivalis in mice caused mesangial proliferation (p < 0.05 at days 28a nd 42; p < 0.01 at days 14 and 56) and IgA deposition (p < 0.001 at day 42 and 56 after administration). Scanning-electron-microscopic observation revealed that a high-density Electron-Dense Deposit was widely distributed in the mesangial region in the mice kidneys treated with P. gingivalis. These findings suggest that P. gingivalis is involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN.

Distribution of Helicobacter pylori and Periodontopathic Bacterial Species in the Oral Cavity.

The oral cavity may serve as a reservoir of Helicobacter pylori. However, the factors required for H. pylori colonization are unknown. Here, we analyzed the relationship between the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity and that of major periodontopathic bacterial species. Nested PCR was performed to detect H. pylori and these bacterial species in specimens of saliva, dental plaque, and dental pulp of 39 subjects. H. pylori was detected in seven dental plaque samples (17.9%), two saliva specimens (5.1%), and one dental pulp (2.6%) specimen. The periodontal pockets around the teeth, from which dental plaque specimens were collected, were significantly deeper in H. pylori-positive than H. pylori-negative subjects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontopathic pathogen, was detected at a significantly higher frequency in H. pylori-positive than in H. pylori-negative dental plaque specimens (p < 0.05). The distribution of genes encoding fimbriae (fimA), involved in the periodontal pathogenicity of P. gingivalis, differed between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative subjects. We conclude that H. pylori can be present in the oral cavity along with specific periodontopathic bacterial species, although its interaction with these bacteria is not clear.

Potential involvement of Helicobacter pylori from oral specimens in overweight body-mass index

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori was originally classified in the Campylobacter genus, which contains major periodontopathic bacterial species, and H. pylori DNA has been found in the oral cavity. Although many studies show an association between the presence of periodontal bacteria and an overweight body-mass index (BMI; >25 kg/m2), the relationship between body weight and the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity has not been demonstrated. Herein, we analysed the relationship between H. pylori in the oral cavity and systemic conditions, including the overweight BMI. Saliva specimens and extracted teeth were obtained from 87 subjects; the distribution of H. pylori among these specimens was analysed with the polymerase chain reaction. Subjects with an overweight BMI exhibited significantly higher detection rates of H. pylori in saliva, compared with non-overweight subjects (BMI <25 kg/m2) (P < 0.05). A clinical history of digestive diseases was not associated with the presence of H. pylori in overweight subjects, whereas subjects with both severe dental caries and an overweight BMI showed a higher detection rate of H. pylori in saliva specimens, compared with other groups. These results suggest that the detection of H. pylori in the oral cavity could be associated with the overweight BMI, which was predominant among subjects with severe dental caries.

Black pigmentation in primary dentition: Case report and literature review

Abstract Black tooth staining is an extrinsic discoloration found in both primary and permanent dentition, and seen as dark pigmented lines extending to the gingival margin or an incomplete coalescence of dark dots that rarely extend beyond the cervical third of the crown. An association between black tooth staining and Actinomyces bacterial strains has been reported, while black-pigmented bacteria associated with such staining are known to be harbored in the oral cavity. Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens are black-pigmented bacteria known to be dependent on the heme portion of hemoglobin as an iron source required for their growth. Recently, developments in molecular biological techniques have enabled rapid and easy detection of periodontopathic bacterial species using bacterial DNA extracted from oral specimens, such as plaque and saliva. Here, we report a case of black pigmentary deposition identified on all teeth of a 2-year-old girl, as well as the results of analysis of the distribution of oral bacteria in saliva and plaque specimens obtained from the patient using a molecular biological technique. In addition, a literature search found a case of disease related to the oral bacteria detected in our patient. We concluded that the bacteria detected in this case may have a strong relationship with black pigmentation, although the route of bacterial infection and cause of staining remain to be elucidated.

Prevotella intermedia Induces Severe Bacteremic Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Mice with Upregulated Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor Expression

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of respiratory infection worldwide. Although oral hygiene has been considered a risk factor for developing pneumonia, the relationship between oral bacteria and pneumococcal infection is unknown. In this study, we examined the synergic effects of Prevotella intermedia, a major periodontopathic bacterium, on pneumococcal pneumonia. The synergic effects of the supernatant of P. intermedia (PiSup) on pneumococcal pneumonia were investigated in mice, and the stimulation of pneumococcal adhesion to human alveolar (A549) cells by PiSup was assessed. The effects of PiSup on platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) transcript levels in vitro and in vivo were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR, and the differences between the effects of pneumococcal infection induced by various periodontopathic bacterial species were verified in mice. Mice inoculated with S. pneumoniae plus PiSup exhibited a significantly lower survival rate, higher bacterial loads in the lungs, spleen, and blood, and higher inflammatory cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) than those infected without PiSup. In A549 cells, PiSup increased pneumococcal adhesion and PAFR transcript levels. PiSup also increased lung PAFR transcript levels in mice. Similar effects were not observed in the supernatants of Porphyromonas gingivalis or Fusobacterium nucleatum. Thus, P. intermedia has the potential to induce severe bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia with enhanced pneumococcal adhesion to lower airway cells.

Effect of photoactivated disinfection with a light-emitting diode on bacterial species and biofilms associated with periodontitis and peri-implantitis

To determine the effect of photoactivated disinfection (PAD) using toluidine blue and a light-emitting diode (LED) in the red spectrum (wave length at 625-635 nm) on species associated with periodontitis and peri-implantitis and bacteria within a periodontopathic biofilm. Sixteen single microbial species including 2 Porphyromonas gingivalis and 2 Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and a multispecies mixture consisting of 12 species suspended in saline without and with 25% human serum were exposed to PAD. Moreover, single-species biofilms consisting of 2 P. gingivalis and 2 A. actinomycetemcomitans strains and a multi-species biofilm on 24-well-plates, grown on titanium discs and in artificial periodontal pockets were exposed to PAD with and without pretreatment with 0.25% hydrogen peroxide. Changes in the viability were determined by counting the colony forming units (cfu). PAD reduced the cfu counts in saline by 1.42 log₁₀ after LED application for 30s and by 1.99 log₁₀ after LED application for 60s compared with negative controls (each p<0.001). Serum did not inhibit the efficacy of PAD. PAD reduced statistically significantly (p<0.05) the cfu counts of the P. gingivalis biofilms. The viability of the A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilms and the multi-species biofilms was statistically significantly decreased when PAD was applied after a pretreatment with 0.25% hydrogen peroxide. The biofilm formed in artificial pockets was more sensitive to PAD with and without pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide compared with those formed on titanium discs. PAD using a LED was effective against periodontopathic bacterial species and reduced viability in biofilms but was not able to completely destroy complex biofilms. The use of PAD following pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide resulted in an additional increase in the antimicrobial activity which may represent a new alternative to treat periodontal and peri-implant infections thus warranting further testing in clinical studies.

치아우식증 및 치주질환 원인균에 대한 Carvacrol의 항균효과

본 연구는 치아우식증 및 치주질환 원인균들에 대한 carvacrol의 항균능을 알아보고, 사람의 구강조직 세포에서 세포의 생존율을 분석하여 세포독성 정도를 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. Carvacrol의 항균능은 뮤탄스 연쇄상구균과 5종류의 치주질환 원인균을 이용하여 MIC 및 MBC 값을 측정하여 분석하였고, 세포생존율은 정상 사람 치은섬유모세포를 이용하여 MTT 분석법으로 평가하였다. 구강질환 원인균에 대한 carvacrol의 MIC 및 MBC 값은 각각 <TEX>$16-128{\mu}g/ml$</TEX>과 <TEX>$32-128{\mu}g/ml$</TEX>이었다. 세포독성 실험 결과 carvacrol은 <TEX>$128{\mu}g/ml$</TEX> 농도에서 세포생존율이 현저히 감소하였다. 따라서 carvacrol은 치아우식증과 치주질환 원인균에 대한 항균작용이 뛰어나지만, 구강조직 세포에 대해 세포독성을 가지고 있어 가글린제 및 치약 등의 구강위생용품에 활용하기 위해서는 <TEX>$64{\mu}g/ml$</TEX> 이하의 농도로 사용하고 정상 사람 치은섬유모세포에 대한 독성이 없는 다른 항균물질과 혼합하여 사용하는 것이 효과적일 것으로 생각된다. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of carvacrol against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria and its cytotoxicity in human oral tissue cells. We tested their antibacterial properties against mutans streptococci and five major periodontopathic bacterial species involved in periodontal disease. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The cell viability of carvacrol on normal human gingival fibroblast (NHGF) cells was tested by metyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay. The data showed that carvacrol had remarkable antimicrobial effect on tested bacteria with a MIC and MBC values ranged from 16 to <TEX>$128{\mu}g/ml$</TEX> and from 32 to <TEX>$128{\mu}g/ml$</TEX>, respectively. In cell toxicity studies, carvacrol had significantly decreased cell viability when NHGF cells were treated at <TEX>$128{\mu}g/ml$</TEX>. These findings suggest that carvacrol has a strong antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria. However, in order to use it as a component of gargling solution or toothpaste, its concentration should be below <TEX>$64{\mu}g/ml$</TEX> and other compounds having an antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria should be used together.

Distribution of periodontopathic bacterial species in dogs and their owners

ObjectivePresently, a large number of individuals consider their companion animals as family members and have close contact with them in daily life. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the distribution of periodontopathic bacterial species in oral specimens taken from dogs and their owners. DesignDental plaque specimens were collected from 66 dogs and 81 members of 64 families who came to an animal clinic or dog training school in Okayama, Japan, in 2011. Bacterial DNA was extracted from each specimen and PCR analyses using primers specific for 11 periodontopathic species, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Porphyromonas gulae, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, and Eikenella corrodens were performed. ResultsP. gulae (71.2%), T. forsythia (77.3%), and C. rectus (66.7%) were frequently found in the dogs, whereas the detection rates of those species in humans were less frequent at 16.0%, 30.9%, and 21.0%, respectively. P. gulae was identified in 13 human subjects and each of their dogs was also positive for the species. Furthermore, E. corrodens and T. denticola in specimens obtained from dogs were correlated with their presence in specimens from owners who had close contact with them. ConclusionsThese results suggest that several periodontopathic species could be transmitted between humans and their companion dogs, though the distribution of periodontopathic species in both is generally different.

Successful application of molecular biological technique for evaluation of changes in periodontopathic bacteria in Japanese children with developmental disabilities

Developments in molecular biological techniques enables rapid and easy identification of periodontopathic bacterial species in clinical specimens. However, there are few reports regarding their application for community dentistry. The aim of this study was to show successful application of a molecular biological technique for evaluation of changes in periodontal bacterial species in children at daycare centers. We studied 187 children who received oral examinations in 2009 and 186 who received examinations in 2010, among whom 102 were examined in both years. Clinical parameters regarding periodontal conditions were evaluated and the distribution of 10 periodontopathic species in dental plaque specimens were determined by polymerase chain reaction. Periodontal pocket depth values in the 2010 group were significantly smaller than those in 2009. When the subjects were divided into those with (positive group) and without (negative group) Porphyromonas gingivalis , Treponema denticola , Tannerella forsythia , or Campylobacter rectus in 2009, the positive group had significantly smaller periodontal pocket values than the negative group. In addition, the rate of subjects with P. gingivalis , T. denticola , T. forsythia , or C. rectus in the positive group in 2010 was significantly reduced. Our findings demonstrate that molecular biological methods provide more information as compared to a standard clinical examination when evaluating changes of periodontal conditions in the field of community dentistry.

Quantitative detection of periodontopathic bacteria in atherosclerotic plaques from coronary arteries

Oral pathogens, including periodontopathic bacteria, are thought to be aetiological factors in the development of cardiovascular disease. In this study, the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum-periodonticum-simiae group, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens and Tannerella forsythia in atheromatous plaques from coronary arteries was determined by real-time PCR. Forty-four patients displaying cardiovascular disease were submitted to periodontal examination and endarterectomy of coronary arteries. Approximately 60-100 mg atherosclerotic tissue was removed surgically and DNA was obtained. Quantitative detection of periodontopathic bacteria was performed using universal and species-specific TaqMan probe/primer sets. Total bacterial and periodontopathic bacterial DNA were found in 94.9 and 92.3 %, respectively, of the atheromatous plaques from periodontitis patients, and in 80.0 and 20.0 %, respectively, of atherosclerotic tissues from periodontally healthy subjects. All periodontal bacteria except for the F. nucleatum-periodonticum-simiae group were detected, and their DNA represented 47.3 % of the total bacterial DNA obtained from periodontitis patients. Porphyromonas gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and Prevotella intermedia were detected most often. The presence of two or more periodontal species could be observed in 64.1 % of the samples. In addition, even in samples in which a single periodontal species was detected, additional unidentified microbial DNA could be observed. The significant number of periodontopathic bacterial DNA species in atherosclerotic tissue samples from patients with periodontitis suggests that the presence of these micro-organisms in coronary lesions is not coincidental and that they may in fact contribute to the development of vascular diseases.

An Unusual Autopsy Case of Pyogenic Liver Abscess Caused by Periodontal Bacteria

Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) formation is thought to originate from the transmission of infection via three major routes including the biliary tract, portal vein and hepatic artery. However, about 50% of PLA cases are considered to be cryptogenic. Here we report an unusual autopsy case of PLA associated with periodontopathic bacterial infection. A 59-year-old female suddenly developed cardiopulmonary arrest and died. Despite macroscopic and microscopic examinations, the infectious routes and source of infection were unidentified, and the case appeared to be cryptogenic. Since this patient had suffered severe periodontitis for a long period of time, we investigated the involvement of periodontal infection in PLA formation by performing immunohistochemical analyses. We identified several periodontopathic bacterial species in the PLA of this patient, including Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola, Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Thus, we demonstrate here that periodontal infection is a potential source of infection in the formation of PLA.

Distribution of periodontopathic bacterial species in Japanese children with developmental disabilities

BackgroundRecent developments in molecular biological techniques have enabled rapid detection of periodontopathic bacterial species in clinical specimens. Accumulated evidence suggests that detection of specific bacterial species enables identification of subjects at high risk for the onset of periodontitis. We investigated the distribution of 10 selected periodontopathic bacterial species in dental plaque specimens obtained from children with disabilities who were attending daycare centers.MethodsA total of 187 children (136 boys, 51 girls) aged 1-6 years old and diagnosed with such disabilities as mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and autism, participated in the study. Subgingival dental plaque specimens were collected from the buccal side of the maxillary left second primary molar after a clinical examination. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the specimens and PCR analyses were carried out to detect 10 selected periodontopathic species using specific primers for each. In addition, statistical analyses were performed to analyze the correlations among clinical parameters and the detected species.ResultsThe most frequently detected species was Capnocytophaga sputigena (28.3%), followed by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (20.9%) and Campylobacter rectus (18.2%). Eikenella corrodens, Capnocytophaga ochracea, and Prevotella nigrescence were detected in approximately 10% of the specimens, whereas Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, and Prevotella intermedia were rarely found, and Porphyromonas gingivalis was not detected in any of the subjects. The total numbers of detected species were positively correlated with the age of the subjects. There were 10 subjects with positive reactions for T. denticola and/or T. forsythia, in whom the total number of bacterial species was significantly higher as compared to the other subjects. Furthermore, subjects possessing C. rectus showed significantly greater values for periodontal pocket depth, gingival index, and total number of species.ConclusionWe found that approximately one-fourth of the present subjects with disabilities who possessed at least one of T. denticola, T. forsythia, and C. rectus were at possible risk for periodontitis. Follow-up examinations as well as preventive approaches should be utilized for such individuals.

Idiopathic external root resorption with alveolar bone loss: Case report and microbiological evaluation

A case of idiopathic external root resorption identified in a girl aged 4 years and 2 months (4Y2M) is presented. The patient visited our clinic with a chief complaint of spontaneous pain in the area of the lower left primary canine. An intraoral examination revealed severe mobility of the affected tooth, while its marginal gingiva was swollen with a maximum periodontal pocket depth of 5 mm. Irrigation of the periodontal pocket and general administration of antibiotics relieved the symptoms within 1 week. However, spontaneous pain recurred in the same area at 5Y0M. External root resorption was found with alveolar bone loss on the distal side, and microbiological analyses using broadrange polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods were carried out with saliva and subgingival dental plaque specimens. In dental plaque specimens from unaffected regions and saliva specimens, Neisseria and Streptococcus species were frequently identified throughout the observation period. On the other hand, Prevotella and Fusobacterium species were predominant species in the dental plaque specimens from the area of the affected tooth. These results indicate that periodontopathic bacterial species rarely seen in children may have inhabited periodontal pockets formed from external root resorption in the present case.

Bacilos Gram Negativos No Fastidiosos en la Microbiota Subgingival y Lingual en un Grupo de Pacientes Chilenos con Periodontitis

Background and aimsPeriodontitis are a group of pathologies that affect support tissue of tooth. Different periodontopathic bacterial species of the subgingival microbiota has been associated with periodontitis but, at this time a great relevance has also been atributed to the presence of non-fastidious Gram negative rods in periodontal pockets,because these species could be a major cause of periodontal therapy failure,it was very interesting to localize the oral reservorie of it, in order to contribute to control the periodontal pocket infection. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine the presence and/or absence of non fastidious Gram negative rods in both, periodontal pockets and lingual dorsum of 27 chilean periodontitis patients. Patients and Method27 periodontal patients were recruited. Lingual dorsum and subgingival plaque samples were obtained and deposited in cold RTF (4°C) until proccessing. Results77,7% (p= 0,0038) of coincidence between presence and/or absence of non-fastidious Gram negative rods in both periodontal pocket and lingual dorsum was found.38,4% of these patients harbored Alcaligenes faecalis and 30,8% of them, Escherichia coli and Pseudomona aeruginosa.

Innate immune responses of gingival epithelial cells to nonperiodontopathic and periodontopathic bacteria

We have previously reported different susceptibilities of periodontopathic and nonperiodontopathic bacteria to antimicrobial peptides and phagocytosis by neutrophils. Differences between the two groups of bacteria may exist also in their ability to induce immune responses from the host. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of various oral bacteria on innate immune responses by gingival epithelial cells. HOK-16B cells were cocultured with live or lysed nonperiodontopathic (n = 3) and periodontopathic (n = 5) bacterial species. The levels of human beta defensin-1, -2 and -3, and of the cathelicidin, LL-37, were examined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and the accumulated interleukin-8 and interleukin-1 alpha were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Nonperiodontopathic bacteria up-regulated some antimicrobial peptides without affecting the levels of cytokines. In the periodontopathic group, the orange-complex bacteria induced antimicrobial peptides and interleukin-8 efficiently, but the red-complex bacteria often demonstrated suppressive effects. In contrast to live bacteria, bacterial lysates had no suppressive effects. In addition, some bacterial lysates demonstrated a reduced ability to induce antimicrobial peptides compared with live bacteria. The nonperiodontopathic, the orange-complex, and the red-complex bacteria had different effects on the innate immune responses from gingival epithelial cells, which may affect the outcome of their host-microbial interaction in gingival sulcus.

Clinical and microbiological evaluations of mandibular lateral incisor with radicular-gingival groove

We present a case of radicular-gingival groove identified in the mandibular left lateral incisor. A female visited our clinic at the age of 11Y5M complaining of repeated gingival inflammation. An intraoral examination found severe gingival swelling in the affected region, while clinical examinations revealed a groove from the cingulum to the apex of the mandibular left lateral incisor. A gingivectomy and professional brushing instruction were performed, with follow-up examinations given periodically. After a long interval, the patient returned at the age of 18Y4M and reported that gingival inflammation had repeatedly occurred. Subgingival dental plaque samples were collected from the affected area as well as areas around 3 normal teeth with a periodontal healthy condition, along with a saliva sample. Using bacterial DNA extracted from each sample, detection of 10 putative periodontopathic bacterial species was done by PCR, which identified Tannerella forsythensis , Campylobacter rectus , Eikenella corrodens , Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans , and Capnocytophaga sputigena in the sample from the affected region. Further, broad-range PCR targeting 16S rRNA with direct sequencing of the samples showed a variety of bacterial species, including Neisseria , Corynebacterium , and Fusobacterium . Streptococcus species occurred at a high rate in the plaque samples from the control teeth, whereas there were none in the affected region. Our findings indicate that the bacterial profile in the area of a radicular-gingival groove may be different from other periodontal healthy sites, which might be related to the occurrence of repeated inflammation in the groove area.

Periodontal pathogens in atheromatous plaques isolated from patients with chronic periodontitis

It has been suggested that chronic infections may predispose to cardiovascular disease. The relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease has been a subject of increasing research in recent years. The isolation and identification of periodontal bacteria from atheromatous plaque can contribute to our knowledge of this vascular disease. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify periodontal bacteria from the periodontal pockets of different patients and to compare them with the microorganisms detected in the atheromatous plaques obtained from the same patients. Clinical isolates were obtained from 12 patients with periodontal wounds and atheromathous plaques. These samples were cultured in the appropriate bacteriological culture media and incubated in an anaerobic system. Periodontal bacteria were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. From the 12 patients studied, nine presented different periodontopathic bacterial species. In two, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was present in the periodontal pockets and the respective atheromatous plaques. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in atheromatous plaques and the periodontal pockets of the same patients could indicate a role for periodontal pathogenic bacteria in the atherosclerosis disease process.

Clinical effects of scaling and root planing on untreated teeth

The aim of this report is to examine whether scaling and root planing (SRP) in one area of the mouth may affect periodontal improvement in untreated areas in the same patient, possibly through systemic effects of treatment. Twenty patients diagnosed with generalized aggressive periodontitis were randomized into treatment (n=11) and no treatment (n=9) groups. Within the treatment group, three quadrants were treated by SRP at week 0, 3, 12, and 24, while a single experimental quadrant remained untreated throughout the study. The outcome for all teeth was assessed using clinical parameters, subtraction radiography, and pathogenic bacteria levels in the subgingival flora over the 24-week study period. Compared with sites in no treatment patients, the treated sites in the treated patients showed a 1 mm decrease in probing depth (PD) (p<0.01) and a 0.5 mm increase in bone height (p<0.01) by 24 weeks. In untreated sites within treated subjects, however, PDs tended to improve (p=0.09) but at a reduced rate compared with treated sites. The levels of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythensis (Bacteroides forsythus) remained unchanged in untreated sites while levels of Prevetolla intermedia and Treponema denticola tended to decrease as compared with controls but did not reach significance. This study indicates that untreated sites in treated periodontitis patients show a trend towards clinical improvement and exhibit reductions in some but not all periodontopathic bacterial species tested.