title: Effect of periodontal therapy on circulating levels of endotoxin in women with periodontitis: a pilot clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Periodontitis is a potential risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes due to the presence of a subgingival load of pathogenic bacteria. Instrumentation of periodontal pockets during treatment may result in bacteremia and/or endotoxemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this pilot clinical trial was to determine the immediate post-scaling and root planing (SRP) level of circulating endotoxin in females presenting with chronic periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A before-and-after pilot clinical trial among rural women of low socioeconomic status attending the outpatient department (OPD) for periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four women aged 25-35 years, with at least five teeth having probing depth (PD) ≥ 5 mm, were selected for the study. The clinical trial was divided into three phases: phase 0 (screening), phase I (just before scaling), and phase II (15 min after scaling). Phase 0, one day prior to SRP, was used to assess the eligibility of the patients and record the periodontal status. Endotoxin levels were assessed by a semiquantitative gel-clot assay, the limulus amoebocyte lysate (Lonza®), at phase I and phase II.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant increase of endotoxins levels (P<.05) immediately after scaling (15 min).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SRP can lead to endotoxemia, possibly by release of endotoxins by bacteria of periodontal origin, into the systemic circulation.
authors: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Shaju P
authors: SP
authors: Jacob
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Nath
authors: R M
authors: RM
authors: Zade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008033:Limulus Test; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000628:therapy; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D016745:Root Planing / Q000379:methods*; D012423:Rural Health
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins