title: The association between subgingival periodontal pathogens and systemic inflammation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate associations between periodontal disease pathogens and levels of systemic inflammation measured by C-reactive protein (CRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  A representative sample of dentate 60-70-year-old men in Northern Ireland had a comprehensive periodontal examination. Men taking statins were excluded. Subgingival plaque samples were analysed by quantitative real time PCR to identify the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia. High-sensitivity CRP (mg/l) was measured from fasting blood samples. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using log-transformed CRP concentration as the dependent variable, with the presence of each periodontal pathogen as predictor variables, with adjustment for various potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 518 men (mean age 63.6 SD 3.0 years) were included in the analysis. Multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index (p < 0.001), current smoking (p < 0.01), the detectable presence of P. gingivalis (p < 0.01) and hypertension (p = 0.01), were independently associated with an increased CRP. The detectable presence of P. gingivalis was associated with a 20% (95% confidence interval 4-35%) increase in CRP (mg/l) after adjustment for all other predictor variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In these 60-70-year-old dentate men, the presence of P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque was significantly associated with a raised level of C-reactive protein.
authors: Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Lewis
authors: L
authors: Winning
authors: Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Christopher C
authors: CC
authors: Patterson
authors: Centre for Medical Education, School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Kathy M
authors: KM
authors: Cullen
authors: Centre for Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Kathryn A
authors: KA
authors: Stevenson
authors: Centre for Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Fionnuala T
authors: FT
authors: Lundy
authors: Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Kee
authors: Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK.
authors: Gerard J
authors: GJ
authors: Linden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000472:pathogenicity; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000472:pathogenicity; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D048373:Treponema denticola / Q000472:pathogenicity
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: C-reactive protein; cardiovascular disease; inflammation; periodontitis; porphyromonas gingivalis; subgingival bacteria