title: The oral cavity as a reservoir of bacterial pathogens for focal infections.
abstract: Dental procedures, but more importantly, oral infections and poor oral health can provoke the introduction of oral microorganisms into the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. The subsequent attachment and multiplication of these bacteria on tissues or organs can lead to focal oral infections. Pathogenic agents may also remain at their primary oral site but the toxins liberated can reach an organ or tissue via the bloodstream and cause metastatic injury. Finally, metastatic inflammation may result from an immunological injury caused by oral bacteria or their soluble products that enter the bloodstream and react with circulating specific antibodies to form macromolecular complexes.
authors.affiliation: Groupe de recherche en écologie buccale, Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Laval, Cité universitaire,Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gendron
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grenier
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maheu-Robert
mesh_terms: D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D013896:Thoracic Diseases / Q000382:microbiology