Systemic Diseases in Association with Microbial Species in Oral Biofilm from Elderly Requiring Care

Abstract

Background: The oral cavity is a reservoir for colonization and infection of systemic organs by pathogenic bacteria. It is understood that aging, tooth eruption, hormonal changes, active disease, oral hygiene, and other factors have an influence on biofilm formation and bacterial accumulation in the oral cavity. Objective: To understand the influence of systemic health care on microfloral changes, we conducted epidemiological studies of nursing home residents in an attempt to elucidate the relationship between underlying systemic diseases and the isolation frequency of oral opportunistic pathogens. Methods: The prevalence of bacteria and fungi causing pneumonia in association with oral biofilm bacteria were determined using detection culture plates. The influences of gender, age, denture-wearing status, number of teeth, and bedridden status in the patients residing in nursing homes were then analyzed. Results: The isolation frequency rates of Candida albicans, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcus spp., and some strains of Enterobacteriaceae in plaque samples, as well as C. albicans and Xanthomonas maltophilia in samples from the pharynx, were significantly higher in those requiring systemic care (mean age 83.9 years) than in those who did not require such care (mean 71.0 years). In particular, the frequencies of Pseudomonas spp., C. albicans, and Serratia marcescens in plaque were significantly higher in those who were bedridden. Furthermore, the isolation of Pseudomonas spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and/or C. albicans in plaque was significantly associated with heart disease. Conclusion: The coexistence of Pseudomonas spp. and C. albicans in elderly with 10–19 teeth is a potential indicator of high risk for pneumonia and heart disease. Therefore, attention to oral hygiene and professional care for removing the indicators may diminish the occurrence of systemic disease in the elderly requiring systemic care.

Development and Validation of an In Vivo Candida albicans Biofilm Denture Model

“…The device biofilm and associated mucosal inflammation negatively impact a patient's ability to eat and speak. In addition, these mixed-species biofilms harbor pathogenic bacterial organisms which commonly cause dental caries and less frequently cause more severe disease, such as pneumonia or endocarditis (14,60). Biofilm infections in general, including those associated with dentures, are notoriously difficult to eradicate due to associated resistance to both host defenses and anti-infective therapy (12,25,55).…”

The Association Between Oral Microorgansims and Aspiration Pneumonia in the Institutionalized Elderly: Review and Recommendations

“…To further understand the relationship between underlying systemic diseases and the frequency of isolation of oral opportunistic pathogens, Senpuku et al [21] conducted epidemiological studies of nursing home residents to determine the prevalence of bacteria and fungi causing aspiration pneumonia in association with oral biofilm bacteria. The influences of gender, age, denture-wearing status, number of teeth, and bedridden status in the patients were then analyzed.…”

Role of the Lysozyme Inhibitor Ivy in Growth or Survival ofEscherichia coliandPseudomonas aeruginosaBacteria in Hen Egg White and in Human Saliva and Breast Milk

“…Salivary lysozyme is known to be important to oral health. Although oral colonization by gram-negative bacteria does not occur readily in healthy individuals, it is quite common when the cleansing effect of saliva production is blocked, such as in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation (7) and in tube-fed patients (25) but also in the elderly, for which the mechanical clearance is often reduced (32). A shift to a gram-negative oral microflora can lead to progressive oropharyngeal and intestinal colonization with gram-negative pathogens, including E. coli, P. aeruginosa, or Klebsiella pneumoniae, and may contribute to the development of pneumonia and heart disease (12,17,18,23).…”