| dc.description.abstract | Background/Aim. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory
disease that occur in the tissues surrounding the teeth in re-
sponse to bacterial biofilm accumulation (dental plaque).
Among others, Tannerela forsythia (Tf) was recognized as one
of the most significant and specific bacterial species in peri-
odontal pocket („red complex“ bacteria). Atherosclerosis is
a progressive narrowing of arteries that may lead to occlu-
sion, as a consequence of lipid deposition. It underlies co-
ronary heart disease (80%), as well as myocardial and cere-
bral infarctions. Increasing evidence over the past decade
suggests a link between periodontal disease and atheroscle-
rosis, where Tf can enter the systemic circulation directly or
indirectly, and be present in atherosclerotic blood vessels.
Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect the presence
of Tf in atheromatous plaques obtained from different
blood vessels in patients with chronic periodontitis. Meth-
ods. Ninety patients (male 61, female 29) with periodontal
disease and atherosclerosis [recruited for either carotid ar-
tery stenosis requiring endartectomy or percutaneous trans-
luminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)] were included in this
study. Clinical periodontal examinations consisted of plaque
index (PI) (according to Silness Lӧu), gingival index (GI)
(according to Lӧe Silnes), sulcus bleeding index (according
to Mühleman-Son) and periodontal probing depth (PPD).
Presence of Tf in periodontal pockets and atherosclerotic
vessels was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
method with positive control Tf ATCC 43037. Results. Tf
was present in subgingival plaques of 68 (75.6%) of the pa-
tients, while its presence in atheromatous plaques were reg-
istered in 42 (53.3%) of the patients. It was significantly pre-
sent in coronary blood vessels (41.7%), followed by carotid
arteries (35.4%) and a. abdominalis aneurism (12.5%), a.
mamaria (8.5%) and a. femoralis (2.1%) while in a. iliaca Tf was
not detected at all. Conclusion. The present study suggests
strong relationship between periodontal inflammation and
atherogenesis; therefore, it should be considered as potential
risk factor for atherosclerosis. Accordingly, it would be nec-
essary to control periodontal disease in order to reduce
mortality and morbidity associated with atherosclerosis. | en_US |
