Document Detail


Role of oral bacteria in respiratory infection.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10440642     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
An association between oral conditions such as periodontal disease and several respiratory conditions has been noted. For example, recent evidence has suggested a central role for the oral cavity in the process of respiratory infection. Oral periodontopathic bacteria can be aspirated into the lung to cause aspiration pneumonia. The teeth may also serve as a reservoir for respiratory pathogen colonization and subsequent nosocomial pneumonia. Typical respiratory pathogens have been shown to colonize the dental plaque of hospitalized intensive care and nursing home patients. Once established in the mouth, these pathogens may be aspirated into the lung to cause infection. Other epidemiologic studies have noted a relationship between poor oral hygiene or periodontal bone loss and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Several mechanisms are proposed to explain the potential role of oral bacteria in the pathogenesis of respiratory infection: 1. aspiration of oral pathogens (such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, etc.) into the lung to cause infection; 2. periodontal disease-associated enzymes in saliva may modify mucosal surfaces to promote adhesion and colonization by respiratory pathogens, which are then aspirated into the lung; 3. periodontal disease-associated enzymes may destroy salivary pellicles on pathogenic bacteria to hinder their clearance from the mucosal surface; and 4. cytokines originating from periodontal tissues may alter respiratory epithelium to promote infection by respiratory pathogens.
Authors:
F A Scannapieco
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of periodontology     Volume:  70     ISSN:  0022-3492     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Periodontol.     Publication Date:  1999 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-09-10     Completed Date:  1999-09-10     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8000345     Medline TA:  J Periodontol     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  793-802     Citation Subset:  D; IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Oral Biology, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans / physiology
Alveolar Bone Loss / microbiology
Bacterial Adhesion
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena*
Cross Infection / etiology
Cytokines / physiology
Dental Plaque / microbiology
Humans
Lung Diseases, Obstructive / microbiology
Mouth / microbiology*
Oral Hygiene
Periodontal Diseases / enzymology,  microbiology*
Pneumonia, Bacterial / etiology
Porphyromonas gingivalis / physiology
Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology*
Saliva / enzymology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Cytokines

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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