Estimation of Transmission of Porphyromonas Gingivalis from Mother to Child through Saliva

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease. Porphyromonas gingivalis is the major pathogen associated with it and can be found in all ecosystems in the oral cavity. The presence of this organism is highly correlated with preterm and low birth weight babies. So, this study aimed to assess vertical transmission of P.gingivalis from pregnant women to their new born.
 Methods: Forty six pregnant women with chronic periodontitis were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected from them before delivery and from their new-borns within forty eight hours of birth. Quantification of P.gingivalis in the saliva samples was carried out by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The obtained data were analysed by SPSS 16 program.
 Results: The results showed a significant correlation (P=0.002) between the number of P.gingivalis present in the mother’s saliva with that of the new-borns’ saliva. DNA copies of more than 5000/μl of P.gingivalis was found in 20 (43.5%) maternal saliva and 21 (45.7%) in new-borns’ saliva. Both Plaque index and Extent and Severity index showed no correlation (P>0.05) with DNA copies of P.gingivalis in new-borns’ saliva.
 Conclusions: The DNA copies of P.gingivalis found in new-borns’ saliva are in par with mother saliva, as the saliva sample obtained from new-borns’ were within forty eight hours of birth, no other environmental factor can have a direct role in its transmission. Thus, it can be concluded that P.gingivalis is vertically transmitted from mother to child.

Potential Pathogenic and Opportunistic Oral Bacteria in Early Life: The Role of Maternal Factors in a Portuguese Population

“…aureus, K lebsiella pneumoniae, A cinetobacter baumannii, P seudomonas aeruginosa , and E nterobacter species, a group of microorganisms representing a global threat to human health, due to a large number of infections in clinical and community settings, with limited therapy options [ 23 , 34 ]. This observation is in line with other works which report that the presence of potential pathogens in the oral cavity of children, such as S. aureus [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ 38 ], and Streptococcus mutans [ 39 , 40 ], are possibly transmitted from their mother. Likewise, our study suggests that saliva and breastmilk are possible pathways of potential pathogen transmission between mothers and their respective children.…”

Saliva Collection Methods Among Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

“…So, the suction method could be used in each age group. However, the suction method was frequently favored when obtaining saliva samples from infants, younger children or children with special needs was required [ 42 , 61 , 63 ]. The suction method operates in the following manner: Saliva accumulates in the bottom of the oral cavity and then, with gentle suction and low pressure, the saliva is aspirated through the created vacuum using a sterile collection device [ 64 ].…”

Porphyromonas spp. have an extensive host range in ill and healthy individuals and an unexpected environmental distribution: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This information raises new questions about their epidemiology and host-specificities. Indeed, the only studies regarding Porphyromonas host-to-host transmission are between humans, specifically interfamily transmission [127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135], and from oral sources, with saliva as the vehicle [136]. Epidemiological studies of Porphyromonas in animals do not appear to be a priority.…”