No abstract

Extensive periodontal disease and BMI are jointly associated with increased CRP levels in otherwise healthy, middle-aged adults, suggesting the need for medical and dental diagnoses when evaluating sources of acute-phase response in some patients.

Maternal C. rectus infection induces placental inflammation and decidual hyperplasia as well as concomitant increase in fetal brain IFN-gamma. Maternal infection increased pup mortality, and preliminary findings demonstrate ultrastructural changes in the hippocampal region of the neonatal brain, in a manner analogous to the effects of maternal infection on white matter damage seen in humans. Thus, the threat of maternal oral infectious exposure during pregnancy may not be limited to the duration of gestation, but may also potentially affect perinatal neurological growth and development.

These results suggest that mothers with preeclampsia may be at greater risk for preterm delivery if periodontal disease is present early in pregnancy or progresses during pregnancy.

Remote subcutaneous maternal C. rectus infection increases fetal resorptions and fetal growth restriction in a mouse model. The effects of an oral C. rectus infection on pregnancy remain to be determined.