Detection of Periodontal Pathogens in Oral Samples and Cardiac Specimens in Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This observational study aimed to: (i) assess the presence of periodontal disease among patients requiring aortic valve replacement; (ii) investigate the presence of oral pathogens in aortic valve specimens and compare them with the microorganisms detected in the oral cavity. Twenty-six patients (15 men and 11 women) were scheduled to be visited the day before the cardiac surgery: periodontal conditions were accurately registered through clinical and radiographic examinations; dental plaque or salivary samples were collected. Valve specimens were collected during surgical aortic valve replacement and analyzed for pathogens detection through microbiological 16SrRna gene sequencing. Bacteria found in plaque samples and valve specimens were assessed according to oral and periodontal conditions. A qualitative comparison between oral and cardiac profiles of the microorganisms detected was performed. The overall number of patients examined for soft tissues conditions was 19, as 7 patients were edentulous. Twelve and three individuals, respectively, presented moderate and severe periodontitis. Nine valves were found to be positive for the presence of oral and periodontopathic bacterial DNA. The microbial species found in valve samples of patients with periodontitis suggest that the presence of these microorganisms in valvular tissue seems to be not coincidental.

Oral Microbiota in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Novel Insights into the Pathogenesis of Dental and Periodontal Disease

“…Two different multiplex PCRs were performed to identify the presence of: (a) P. gingivalis , P. intermedia , and A. actinomycetemcomitans [ 39 ], and (b) T. forsythia , T. denticola , and A. naeslundii . Additionally, a single PCR was performed to identify Actinomyces spp., S. mutans , Veillonella spp., and Lactobacillus spp., as previously reported [ 40 ]. PCR reactions were performed using the 5Prime Hot Master Mix (Quantabio, Beverly, MA, USA) according to manufacturer’s instructions.…”

The Oral Microbiota in Valvular Heart Disease: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

“…This strengthens the possibility that bacteria found in plaque deposits enter the blood circulation, with Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella pasteri being statically significant. Streptococcus mutans was the most frequent non-periodontal microorganism identified at the valvular level, a species commonly found in other studies [ 59 ].…”

“…In another study conducted on patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, Pardo et al [ 59 ] observed the presence of the same oral pathogens in both the aortic valvular samples and the oral cavities of the patients. Seven patients were edentulous, fifteen presented severe to moderate periodontitis, and only four were considered orally healthy.…”

No Association between Clinical Periodontal Conditions and Microbiological Findings on Driveline of Patients with Left-Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD)

“…First, the above-mentioned bacteria related to periodontitis are anaerobic, showing a complex metabolism and special cultivation requirements [23]. Second, the common potential periodontal pathogens or their DNA were found in different cardiac tissue [24,25]. Furthermore, the causality of such an infection would be hard to prove; therefore, a study on the oral cause of LVAD-related infection would need another design similar to the current study.…”