Periodontal Microbiota in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Measured by Real‐Time Polymerase Chain Reaction: A Case‐Control Study

Background: Recent data have shown that periodontal disease may increase the risk of occurrence of coronary heart disease in which inflammation initiated by bacteria and their compounds might be a common causal factor. This case‐control study aimed at studying the relationship between periodontal disease and coronary artery disease (CAD) based on clinical and periodontal microbiologic parameters. Methods: A total of 90 male subjects, 48 to 80 years of age, were included in this study. Forty‐five men had CAD (CAD+), which was confirmed by coronary angiography. Forty‐five age‐matched controls showed no history or symptoms of CAD (CAD−). All subjects underwent a clinical periodontal examination including assessment of tooth loss, probing depth, clinical attachment level, and bleeding on probing. In the CAD+ group, this examination took place 1 day before coronary angiography. Subgingival microbial samples were taken and evaluated by means of real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for the total amount of bacteria and the following periodontopathogens: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Parvimonas micra (formerly Micromonas micros), Dialister pneumosintes, and Campylobacter rectus. Results: Compared to control subjects, CAD+ subjects had significantly deeper pockets (2.28 mm versus 2.96 mm; P