Presence of Periodontopathic Bacteria DNA in Atheromatous Plaques from Coronary and Carotid Arteries.
OBJECTIVE
Interest in periodontitis as a potential risk factor for atherosclerosis and its complications resulted from the fact that the global prevalence of periodontal diseases is significant and periodontitis may induce a chronic inflammatory response. Many studies have analyzed the potential impact of the Porphyromonas gingivalis, major pathogen of periodontitis, on general health. The purpose of this study was to find the presence of the Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA in the atherosclerotic plaques of coronary and carotid arteries and in the periodontal pockets in patients with chronic periodontitis, who underwent surgery because of vascular diseases.


RESULTS
The study population consisted of 91 patients with coronary artery disease or scheduled for carotid endarterectomy. The presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA in atheromatous plaques and in subgingival samples was determined by PCR. Bacterial DNA was found in 21 of 91 (23%) samples taken from vessels and in 47 of 63 (74.6%) samples from periodontal pockets.


CONCLUSIONS
Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA is frequently found in atheromatous plaques of patients with periodontitis. That is why more research should be conducted to prove if this periopathogen may have an impact on endothelium of patients at risk of atherosclerosis.
Department of Periodontology, Wroctaw Medical University, Ulica Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wroctaw, Poland.
Malgorzata
M
Szulc
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Wroctaw Medical University, Ulica Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
Wojciech
W
Kustrzycki
Department of Vascular, General and Transplantation Surgery, Wroctaw Medical University, Ulica Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
Dariusz
D
Janczak
Department of Forensic Medicine, Molecular Techniques Unit, Wroctaw Medical University, Ulica M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 52, 50-369 Wrocław, Poland.
Dagmara
D
Michalowska
Department of Forensic Medicine, Molecular Techniques Unit, Wroctaw Medical University, Ulica M. Curie-Skłodowskiej 52, 50-369 Wrocław, Poland.
Dagmara
D
Baczynska
Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Periodontology, Wroctaw Medical University, Ulica Krakowska 26, 50-425 Wroctaw, Poland.
Malgorzata
M
Radwan-Oczko
D000368:Aged; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000382:microbiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
D004269:DNA, Bacterial