1
|
Michaud DS, Izard J, Wilhelm-Benartzi CS, You DH, Grote VA, Tjønneland A, Dahm CC, Overvad K, Jenab M, Fedirko V, Boutron-Ruault MC, Clavel-Chapelon F, Racine A, Kaaks R, Boeing H, Foerster J, Trichopoulou A, Lagiou P, Trichopoulos D, Sacerdote C, Sieri S, Palli D, Tumino R, Panico S, Siersema PD, Peeters PHM, Lund E, Barricarte A, Huerta JM, Molina-Montes E, Dorronsoro M, Quirós JR, Duell EJ, Ye W, Sund M, Lindkvist B, Johansen D, Khaw KT, Wareham N, Travis RC, Vineis P, Bueno-de-Mesquita HB, Riboli E. Plasma antibodies to oral bacteria and risk of pancreatic cancer in a large European prospective cohort study. Gut 2013; 62:1764-70. [PMID: 22990306 PMCID: PMC3815505 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-303006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Examine the relationship between antibodies to 25 oral bacteria and pancreatic cancer risk in a prospective cohort study. DESIGN We measured antibodies to oral bacteria in prediagnosis blood samples from 405 pancreatic cancer cases and 416 matched controls, nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Analyses were conducted using conditional logistic regression and additionally adjusted for smoking status and body mass index. RESULTS Individuals with high levels of antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis ATTC 53978, a pathogenic periodontal bacteria, had a twofold higher risk of pancreatic cancer than individuals with lower levels of these antibodies (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.05 to 4.36; >200 ng/ml vs ≤200 ng/ml). To explore the association with commensal (non-pathogenic) oral bacteria, we performed a cluster analysis and identified two groups of individuals, based on their antibody profiles. A cluster with overall higher levels of antibodies had a 45% lower risk of pancreatic cancer than a cluster with overall lower levels of antibodies (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.36 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS Periodontal disease might increase the risk for pancreatic cancer. Moreover, increased levels of antibodies against specific commensal oral bacteria, which can inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria, might reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. Studies are needed to determine whether oral bacteria have direct effects on pancreatic cancer pathogenesis or serve as markers of the immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominique S Michaud
- Department of Epidemiology, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pussinen PJ, Könönen E, Paju S, Hyvärinen K, Gursoy UK, Huumonen S, Knuuttila M, Suominen AL. Periodontal pathogen carriage, rather than periodontitis, determines the serum antibody levels. J Clin Periodontol 2011; 38:405-11. [PMID: 21362013 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.2011.01703.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM We investigated in a nationally representative sample, how periodontitis modifies the association between the carriage of periodontal pathogens and serology. MATERIALS AND METHODS The population comprised 1586 dentate subjects who participated in an interview, clinical and radiological oral health examination, and saliva collection. Serum immunoglobulin A (IgA)- and IgG-class antibody levels against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis and their salivary occurrence were determined in the whole population. The quantity of the pathogens was measured in a subpopulation. RESULTS In the univariate analyses, the corresponding antibody levels were higher in the pathogen carriers compared with the non-carriers, and clearly higher in the carriers with periodontal pockets compared with the carriers without. In the multi-variate analyses, however, all antibody levels associated strongly with age (p<0.001) and the carriage of the corresponding pathogen (p<0.001), but only weakly with the presence or number of teeth with periodontal pockets. In the subpopulation, the antibody levels and the numbers of corresponding bacteria in saliva had a positive association, which was not affected by the disease. CONCLUSIONS The carriage of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis is the strongest determinant of the systemic antibody response to these pathogens, and the extent of periodontitis has at most a modest modifying effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pirkko J Pussinen
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Institute of Dentistry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ando ES, De-Gennaro LA, Faveri M, Feres M, DiRienzo JM, Mayer MPA. Immune response to cytolethal distending toxin of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in periodontitis patients. J Periodontal Res 2010; 45:471-80. [PMID: 20337882 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0765.2009.01260.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is a genotoxin produced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. In spite of its association with pathogenesis, little is known about the humoral immune response against the CDT. This study aimed to test whether subgingival colonization and humoral response to A. actinomycetemcomitans would lead to a response against CDT. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sera from periodontally healthy, localized and generalized aggressive periodontitis and chronic periodontitis subjects (n = 80) were assessed for immunoglobulin G titers to A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes a/b/c and to each CDT subunit (CdtA, CdtB and CdtC) by ELISA. A. actinomycetemcomitans subgingival levels and neutralization of CDT activity were also analyzed. RESULTS Sera from 75.0% localized and 81.8% generalized aggressive periodontitis patients reacted to A. actinomycetemcomitans. A response to serotype b was detected in localized (66.7%) and generalized aggressive periodontitis (54.5%). Reactivity to A. actinomycetemcomitans correlated with subgingival colonization (R = 0.75, p < 0.05). There was no correlation between A. actinomycetemcomitans colonization or response to serotypes and the immunoglobulin G response to CDT subunits. Titers of immunoglobulin G to CdtA and CdtB did not differ among groups; however, sera of all generalized aggressive periodontitis patients reacted to CdtC. Neutralization of CDT was not correlated with levels of antibodies to CDT subunits. CONCLUSION Response to CdtA and CdtB did not correlate with the periodontal status of the subject in the context of an A. actinomycetemcomitans infection. However, a response to CdtC was found in sera of generalized but not of localized aggressive periodontitis subjects. Differences in response to CdtC between generalized and localized aggressive periodontitis subjects indicate that CDT could be expressed differently by the infecting strains. Alternatively, the antibody response to CdtC could require the colonization of multiple sites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E S Ando
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lakio L, Antinheimo J, Paju S, Buhlin K, Pussinen PJ, Alfthan G. Tracking of plasma antibodies against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis during 15 years. J Oral Microbiol 2009; 1. [PMID: 21523211 PMCID: PMC3077000 DOI: 10.3402/jom.v1i0.1979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2009] [Revised: 06/23/2009] [Accepted: 06/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasma antibody measurements of antibody levels to periodontal pathogens may be used to support diagnosis, disease activity, classification, and prognosis of periodontitis. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term stability of plasma antibody levels against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis. DESIGN Plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels against the pathogens were analyzed annually during 15 years from 21 voluntary subjects, whose periodontal status was not known at the point of selection. The total number of plasma samples was 315. In connection of the last sampling, the clinical and radiographic periodontal status was examined. Pooled bacterial samples from periodontal pockets, as well as salivary samples were collected for A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis detection, and antibody determinations, respectively. According to the clinical status, six subjects had periodontitis, whereas 15 did not. RESULTS Plasma IgG-class antibody levels to periodontal pathogens remained extremely stable during the 15-year period and no significant (p>0.05) intra-individual variations were observed. Retrospectively, the average plasma IgG antibody levels against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis were 1.6-2.3 (p<0.05) and 1.4-1.7 (p<0.05) fold higher in the subjects with periodontitis than those without, respectively, during the whole 15-year tracking. As expected, at the time of the periodontal examination the plasma and salivary IgG antibody levels were associated both with periodontitis and bacterium-positivity. CONCLUSIONS Plasma IgG levels against A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis are extremely stable during 15 years both in subjects with and without periodontitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lakio
- Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Oscarsson J, Karched M, Thay B, Chen C, Asikainen S. Proinflammatory effect in whole blood by free soluble bacterial components released from planktonic and biofilm cells. BMC Microbiol 2008; 8:206. [PMID: 19038023 PMCID: PMC2612679 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-8-206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2008] [Accepted: 11/27/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is an oral bacterium associated with aggressive forms of periodontitis. Increasing evidence points to a link between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases, however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study investigated the pathogenic potential of free-soluble surface material, released from live planktonic and biofilm A. actinomycetemcomitans cells. RESULTS By employing an ex vivo insert model (filter pore size 20 nm) we demonstrated that the A. actinomycetemcomitans strain D7S and its derivatives, in both planktonic and in biofilm life-form, released free-soluble surface material independent of outer membrane vesicles. This material clearly enhanced the production of several proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1 beta) in human whole blood, as evidenced by using a cytokine antibody array and dissociation-enhanced-lanthanide-fluorescent-immunoassay. In agreement with this, quantitative real-time PCR indicated a concomitant increase in transcription of each of these cytokine genes. Experiments in which the LPS activity was blocked with polymyxin B showed that the stimulatory effect was only partly LPS-dependent, suggesting the involvement of additional free-soluble factors. Consistent with this, MALDI-TOF-MS and immunoblotting revealed release of GroEL-like protein in free-soluble form. Conversely, the immunomodulatory toxins, cytolethal distending toxin and leukotoxin, and peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein, appeared to be less important, as evidenced by studying strain D7S cdt/ltx double, and pal single mutants. In addition to A. actinomycetemcomitans a non-oral species, Escherichia coli strain IHE3034, tested in the same ex vivo model also released free-soluble surface material with proinflammatory activity. CONCLUSION A. actinomycetemcomitans, grown in biofilm and planktonic form, releases free-soluble surface material independent of outer membrane vesicles, which induces proinflammatory responses in human whole blood. Our findings therefore suggest that release of surface components from live bacterial cells could constitute a mechanism for systemic stimulation and be of particular importance in chronic localized infections, such as periodontitis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Oscarsson
- Oral Microbiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nagasawa T, Kiji M, Yashiro R, Hormdee D, Lu H, Kunze M, Suda T, Koshy G, Kobayashi H, Oda S, Nitta H, Ishikawa I. Roles of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin in periodontal health and disease. Periodontol 2000 2007; 43:65-84. [PMID: 17214836 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0757.2006.00185.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyuki Nagasawa
- Division of Periodontology, Department of Hard Tissue Engineering, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Garlet GP, Cardoso CRB, Campanelli AP, Ferreira BR, Avila-Campos MJ, Cunha FQ, Silva JS. The dual role of p55 tumour necrosis factor-alpha receptor in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans-induced experimental periodontitis: host protection and tissue destruction. Clin Exp Immunol 2007; 147:128-38. [PMID: 17177972 PMCID: PMC1810448 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03260.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory immune reactions in response to periodontopathogens are thought to protect the host against infection, but may trigger periodontal destruction. Thus, we examined the mechanisms by which the proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha modulates the outcome of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans-induced periodontal disease in mice. Our results showed that TNF-alpha receptor p55-deficient mice [p55TNF-knock-out (KO)] developed a less severe periodontitis in response to A. actinomycetemcomitans infection, characterized by significantly less alveolar bone loss and inflammatory reaction. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) demonstrated that levels of chemokines (CXCL1, 3 and 10; CCL3 and 5) and their receptors (CXCR2 and 3, CCR5) were lower in p55TNF-KO mice, as were matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, 2 and 9 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (RANKL) mRNA levels. However, the absence of the TNF-alpha p55 results in an impairment of protective immunity to A. actinomycetemcomitans infection, characterized by increased bacterial load and higher levels of C-reactive protein during the course of disease. Such impaired host response may be the result of the reduced chemoattraction of lymphocytes, neutrophils and macrophages, and reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression (iNOS) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) production in periodontal tissues of p55 TNF-KO mice. Our results demonstrate the mechanisms involved determining periodontal disease severity by TNF-alpha receptor p55, and its role in providing immune protection to A. actinomycetemcomitans periodontal infection.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Actinobacillus Infections/immunology
- Actinobacillus Infections/pathology
- Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/immunology
- Alveolar Bone Loss
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial/blood
- C-Reactive Protein/analysis
- Chemokine CCL5
- Chemokine CXCL1
- Chemokine CXCL10
- Chemokines, CC/analysis
- Chemokines, CC/genetics
- Chemokines, CXC/analysis
- Chemokines, CXC/genetics
- DNA Primers/genetics
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods
- Flow Cytometry
- Interferon-gamma/analysis
- Interferon-gamma/genetics
- Interleukin-10/blood
- Interleukin-10/genetics
- Interleukin-1beta/analysis
- Interleukin-1beta/genetics
- Matrix Metalloproteinases/analysis
- Matrix Metalloproteinases/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Periodontitis/immunology
- Periodontitis/pathology
- Periodontium/immunology
- Periodontium/pathology
- Peroxidase/analysis
- RANK Ligand/analysis
- RANK Ligand/genetics
- Receptors, CCR5/analysis
- Receptors, CCR5/genetics
- Receptors, CXCR3
- Receptors, Chemokine/analysis
- Receptors, Chemokine/genetics
- Receptors, Interleukin-8B/analysis
- Receptors, Interleukin-8B/genetics
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/immunology
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Decoy Receptors/immunology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Decoy Receptors/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G P Garlet
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry of Bauru, Bauru, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vilkuna-Rautiainen T, Pussinen PJ, Roivainen M, Petäys T, Jousilahti P, Hovi T, Vartiainen E, Asikainen S. Serum antibody response to periodontal pathogens and herpes simplex virus in relation to classic risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Int J Epidemiol 2006; 35:1486-94. [PMID: 16997850 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyl166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence links chronic infections, especially burden of several infections, with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We studied joint immune response against two major periodontal pathogens and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in relation to established risk factors of CVD. METHODS Serum antibody levels to HSV, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were determined by ELISA. The study included 1107 subjects, 734 from Finland and 373 from Russia. RESULTS Combined antibody response to periodontal pathogens was associated inversely (OR, 95% CI) with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration (beta = 0.35; 0.20, 0.60; P < 0.001) and directly with HSV antibody quartiles: compared with the first quartile, ORs (95% CI) for quartiles 2-4 were 1.43 (0.88-2.32), 1.74 (1.07-2.82), and 1.89 (1.18-3.02), respectively (P for trend <0.001), after adjusting for age, gender, area, education, smoking, BMI, alcohol, triglycerides, and number of teeth. In linear regression analysis, the 3-pathogen antibody score (comprising antibody levels against periodontal pathogens and HSV) was inversely associated with HDL cholesterol concentration (beta = -0.067/1 mmol/l; -0.235, -0.018; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS HSV infection may promote infection by periodontal pathogens. Furthermore, the infectious burden comprising HSV and periodontitis may increase the risk for CVD by clearly decreasing HDL cholesterol concentrations.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wang D, Kawashima Y, Nagasawa T, Takeuchi Y, Kojima T, Umeda M, Oda S, Ishikawa I. Elevated serum IgG titer and avidity to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype c in Japanese periodontitis patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 20:172-9. [PMID: 15836519 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-302x.2005.00208.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AIM The purpose of this study was to characterize serum antibody responses to different serotypes of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains in various forms of periodontitis and to determine whether any specific type of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with any specific form of periodontitis in a Japanese population. METHODS Sonicated whole cell and autoclaved serotype antigens of A. actinomycetemcomitans were used. Serum IgG titer and avidity to A. actinomycetemcomitans were measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay (ELISA) and ammonium thiocyanate-dissociation ELISA, respectively, in 46 aggressive periodontitis patients (8 localized, 38 generalized), 28 chronic periodontitis patients, and 18 periodontally healthy subjects. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in plaque and saliva samples was determined using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Generalized aggressive and chronic periodontitis patients exhibited significantly higher IgG titers than healthy subjects to both sonicated and autoclaved antigens of serotype c strains, while IgG titer to serotype b (Y4) was significantly higher in localized aggressive periodontitis patients compared to healthy subjects. No A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in localized aggressive periodontitis patients. A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive patients exhibited significantly higher IgG titer and avidity to serotype c than A. actinomycetemcomitans-negative patients. In A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive patients, a significantly positive correlation was observed between antibody titer and avidity to serotype c. A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis showed lower IgG avidities to serotype c than those with chronic periodontitis, though no statistically significant difference was found. CONCLUSION A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype c may play a significant role in chronic and generalized aggressive periodontitis, while A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype b may be associated with localized aggressive periodontitis in a Japanese population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Wang
- Section of Periodontology, Department of Hard Tissue Engineering, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pussinen PJ, Laatikainen T, Alfthan G, Asikainen S, Jousilahti P. Periodontitis is associated with a low concentration of vitamin C in plasma. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2003; 10:897-902. [PMID: 12965924 PMCID: PMC193894 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.10.5.897-902.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2003] [Revised: 04/15/2003] [Accepted: 06/11/2003] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to clarify how concentrations of vitamin C in plasma relate to the serology of periodontitis. The random sample used comprised 431 men, 194 from Finland and 237 from Russia. The plasma vitamin C concentration was determined by o-phtaldialdehyde-fluorometry, and serum immunoglobulin G antibodies to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were determined by a multiserotype enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean plasma vitamin C concentration was higher (P < 0.001) in Finnish subjects (mean +/- standard deviation, 4.5 +/- 2.8 mg/liter) than in Russian subjects (1.4 +/- 1.8 mg/liter). Mean antibody levels to both A. actinomycetemcomitans (4.7 +/- 3.6 versus 5.2 +/- 3.1 ELISA units [P = 0.05]) and P. gingivalis (5.7 +/- 2.5 versus 7.6 +/- 2.9 ELISA units [P < 0.001]) were lower in Finnish men than in Russian men. In the combined Finnish and Russian population, the antibody levels to P. gingivalis were negatively correlated with vitamin C concentrations (r = -0.22; P < 0.001); this association remained statistically significant (P = 0.010) in a linear regression model after adjustment for confounding factors. The proportion of P. gingivalis-seropositive subjects decreased with increasing vitamin C concentrations (P for trend, <0.01), but no trend was seen among A. actinomycetemcomitans-seropositive subjects. In conclusion, P. gingivalis infection is associated with low concentrations of vitamin C in plasma, which may increase colonization of P. gingivalis or disturb the healing of the infected periodontium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pirkko J Pussinen
- Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, and Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital Helsinki, Finland.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|