ACTA FAC. MED. NAISS. 2006; 23(2):69-74

  Original article

Ivana Burazor¹, AristoVojdani², Dragan Bogdanovic³

¹Clinic for Cardiovascular Diseases, Clinical Center Nis, Serbia
²Immunosciences Lab. Inc. Beverly Hills, CA, USA
³Fabric Health Institute, Nis, Serbia

SUMMARY

The classic dental disease, caries and periodontal disease might have an effect on systemic health. These diseases result from infections by microbes with highly specific adhesion mechanisms in the mouth. Over the last decade, accumulating evidences have linked dental infections to an increased risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The aim of our study was to investigate whether Porhyromonas gingivalis might play a role in the development of acute myocardial infarction (AIM) as well as its possible relation with traditional risk factors.
The study enrolled 124 participants, 74 of whom were patients with AIM (63 years old, 44 males) and 50 were controls (60.3 years old, 31 males). Blood was sampled and sent on dry ice to Immunosciences Lab Inc (USA).We determined circulating levels of IgG antibodies against Porhyromonas gingivalis by using the ELISA method.
A high proportion of patients had circulating levels of IgG antibodies against Porhyromonas gingivalis above the reference range (98% vs 22%, P <0.001). The titers were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (P<0.001). Circulating concentrations of antibodies were higher in men and smokers. The higher the titers, the higher the monocytes and white blood cells count.
In view of our results, patients with AIM have evidence of chronic infection caused by Porhyromonas gingivalis. Chronic dental infection could be considered as an independent risk for atherosclerotic disease.

Key words: Porhyromonas gingivalis, infection, inflammation, myocardial infarction