title: What can we learn about biofilm/host interactions from the study of inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review was to evaluate possible common pathogenic pathways and risk factors in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A MEDLINE-PubMed research was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pathogenesis of both diseases is multi-factorial leading to a substantial defect of the mucosal barrier, deregulation of the immune response and chronic inflammation of the mucosa. Environmental factors, particularly bacteria, are key factors in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Genetic predisposition is a key factor in the IBD pathogenesis, while a clear role of genetics in the pathogenesis of periodontitis is still unclear. The immune response in IBD is mediated by T lymphocytes as a consequence of a genetic trait associated with T-cell deregulation. On the other hand, in periodontitis plasma cells and lymphocytes are the predominant cells in the chronic inflammatory lesion, with the presence of B cells being proportionally larger than T cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IBD and periodontitis share several factors in their aetiology and pathogenesis, although they also have distinct characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Gastroenterology Unit, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy. amedeo.indriolo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Indriolo
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ravelli
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fagiuoli
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D018441:Biofilms; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology