Relationships between Periodontal Health, Salivary Steroids, and Bacteroides intermedius in Males, Pregnant and Non-pregnant Women

Abstract

Relationships between four steroids, determined by radio-immunoassay of whole saliva, and clinical and bacteriological parameters were studied in 90 subjects: males, menstruating females, and pregnant females. Pocket depths and both plaque and gingival bleeding scores were recorded. Total counts and percentages of Gram-negative organisms Bacteroides and B. intermedius were determined from anaerobic cultures of subgingival plaque from 9-14 subjects in each group. None of the clinical parameters for the pregnant females differed significantly from those of non-pregnant females, nor did these parameters show any significant correlation with progression of pregnancy. No correlations were detected between bacterial and clinical parameters in the pregnant group. There were no statistically significant differences between the total bacterial counts from the three groups, yet males had significantly higher proportions of Gram-negative bacteria, Bacteroides, and B. intermedius, than did pregnant and non-pregnant females. Proportions of B. intermedius did not differ significantly between the two female groups, nor was there any correlation with progression of pregnancy. While some steroids appeared to affect some clinical or bacteriological parameters in some groups, no obvious patterns consistent with different steroid levels were detected. The results do not indicate that increased hormone levels cause more severe periodontal disease in pregnant women, nor that high salivary steroid levels result in increased recovery of B. intermedius from subgingival plaque.

Longitudinal study on clinical and microbial analysis of periodontal status in pregnancy

“…Studies have shown a high prevalence of P. gingivalis and P. intermedia during the second trimester of pregnancy due to high concentrations of progesterone and/or estradiol, which contribute to bacterial growth. 12,20 Our results corroborate these earlier findings as these species were more frequent during pregnancy at 8 weeks postpartum. Based on accumulated evidence, an increased detection of P. gingivalis during pregnancy and a decrease postpartum were expected.…”

“…12,13,14,15,16,17,18 Various types of analysis and models have proven helpful in understanding the multi-factorial causes of periodontal disease. 7,8,19,20,21 Of these, bacterial challenge studies have provided a valuable contribution to understanding the complex pathogenesis of periodontal disease. 22 …”

Detection and enumeration of periodontopathogenic bacteria in subgingival biofilm of pregnant women

“…Other investigators also showed no significant microbiological differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women. 5,10 Differences in methods used to assess bacteria may partly explain the results reported. In most cases, the previously mentioned studies 1-3,10,11 used classic microbiological analyses, such as culture methods, which are hampered by the complexity of the periodontal microbiota and the fastidious nature of these microorganisms.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5]10,11 About 50% of oral bacterial strains cannot be cultured by conventional methods. For some periodontopathogens, molecular techniques, such as PCR, real-time PCR, or DNA-DNA hybridization, have been used successfully to detect microorganisms that are difficult to culture.…”

Obesity and periodontal disease in diabetic pregnant women

“…The CAL observed in the study sample revealed that loss of periodontal attachment in at least one of the tooth surfaces is frequent. Unlike diabetes mellitus, hormone changes found in pregnancy do not represent an increased risk for the onset and progression of support periodontium destruction 8,13 . Also, to establish the diagnosis of GDM, it has to be shown that carbohydrate metabolism was completely normal before pregnancy 26 .…”