Potential respiratory pathogens colonisation of the denture plaque of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
BACKGROUND
The role of bacterial infections in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is widely examined. Denture plaque in patients with COPD is an example of bacterial and fungal biofilm, which is a reservoir of potentially pathogenic respiratory tract microorganisms. Poor denture hygiene might cause acute exacerbations of COPD.


OBJECTIVE
Assessment of prevalence of respiratory tract pathogens in denture plaque in stable patients with COPD and it influence on oral ontocenoses depending upon the therapy.


METHODS
The study was based on the clinical assessment of oral mucosa and denture hygiene in 53 patients with COPD with mean age of 70 ± 18 years and 14 generally healthy participants with mean age of 65 ± 14 years. Microbiological and mycological tests were performed by culturing direct denture swabs.


RESULTS
The study showcased the presence of potential pathogenic micro-organisms in denture plaque of 48 patients with COPD (90%) and nine healthy subjects (64.3%). Yeast-like fungi prevailed in denture surface swabs of 40 (75%) in patients with COPD and 8 (57%) in cases of control group. In 66% of patients, various degree of oral mucosa inflammation prevailed.


CONCLUSIONS
Denture plaque could be a potential source of bacterial and fungal infections in patients with COPD.
Department of Prosthodontics, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
Dorota
D
Przybyłowska
Department of Prosthodontics, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
Elżbieta
E
Mierzwińska-Nastalska
Department of Dental Microbiology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
Ewa
E
Swoboda-Kopeć
Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonology and Allergology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
Renata
R
Rubinsztajn
Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonology and Allergology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
Ryszarda
R
Chazan
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018441:Biofilms; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D003778:Dentures / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000382:microbiology*
Candida; denture plaque; denture stomatitis; respiratory pathogens