Background and Aims: Although evidence for the relationship between periodontal disease and the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) is emerging, the exact mechanism and the role of particular microorganisms in that process have not yet been sufficiently studied. The aim of our study was to assess the subgingival microbial profiles associated with chronic periodontal disease in a group of patients with early atherosclerosis.
Methods: Our study included 20 patients (14 males and 6 females) aged 35 to 52 [95% CI 42,29; 47,51] with chronic periodontitis and early manifestations of ASCVD. Detection of the presence of bacterial DNA in subgingival samples was performed by means of PCR.
Results: Bacterial DNA of Peptostreptococcus micros was identified in subgingival samples of all 20 patients, DNA of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Treponema denticola – in 10, 6 and 9 patients respectively. Bacterial DNA of Campylobacter rectus was not detected in any of the samples. Among the collected subgingival samples, 9 were positive for 2 periopathogens; 6 - for 3 periopathogens; bacterial DNA of a single periopathogen (Peptostreptococcus micros) was extracted in 4 samples. Combination of 4 microorganisms was detected in the subgingival plaque sample taken from the obese non-diabetic smoking patient with the history of acute myocardial infarction at the age of 43.
Conclusions: Finding periodontal pathogens in subgingival samples of chronic periodontitis patients with early ASCVD may confirm the possible causal relationship between periodontal disease and the development of atherosclerosis.