title: [Detection of periodontal pathogenic microorganisms in atheromatous plaque. Preliminary results].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies suggest that chronic infections, including those associated with periodontitis, increase the risk for coronary vascular disease. We hypothesize that oral microorganisms including periodontal bacterial pathogens enter the blood stream during transient bacteremias where they may play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  To test this hypothesis, 34 human specimens obtained during carotid endarterectomy or bypass procedures were examined by use of specific oligonucleotide primers for Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides forsythus in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty (59%) of the 34 specimens tested positive for bacterial 16S rDNA. Subsequent hybridization of the bacterial 16S rDNA positive specimens with species-specific oligonucleotide probes revealed that 32.4% of the 34 atheromas tested positive for at least one of the target periodontal pathogens. Further analysis of the results in the bacterial positive group (n = 20) shows that 55% of the atheromas tested positive for at least one of the target periodontal pathogens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate that periodontal pathogens are present in atherosclerotic plaques, where they may play a role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis leading to coronary vascular disease and other clinical sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Chirurgische Klinik, Städtisches Krankenhaus Heinsberg, Auf dem Brand 1, 52525 Heinsberg. dr.mastragelopulos@krankenhaus-heinsberg.de
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mastragelopulos
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Haraszthy
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zambon
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Zafiropoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000472:pathogenicity; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018713:Prevotella intermedia / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D014774:Virulence