Forum for Science, Industry and Business
Sponsored by:     Siemens  n-tv 
Search our Site:

Topic (optional):

 

Home Reports Life Sciences Content

Antibiotics do not prevent recurrent myocardial infarcts in subjects with periodontitis

next article
06.01.2006

 


Periodontitis, an infection of the gingiva and tooth-supporting tissues, may influence the effectiveness of antibiotics used for the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events. A three-month course of treatment with antibiotics decreased recurrence of cardiovascular events in patients without periodontitis, while the medication was found to have no effect in patients with periodontitis. This is the first time dental infections have been linked to the effectiveness of long-term treatment with antibiotics designed to prevent myocardial infarcts.

This information was the result of research partially funded by the Academy of Finland and conducted at the Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, and at the Divisions of Cardiology and Infectious Diseases in the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa. The results of the research are published in the journal Atherosclerosis in January.


According to the results, long-term antibiotic medication would prevent myocardial infarcts in patients that do not have periodontitis, or related signs of inflammation such as disease-causing bacteria or antibodies to those bacteria. Periodontitis appears to be such a significant chronic infection that the effect of antibiotic treatment in preventing cardiovascular events is lost in patients that suffer from it. During one year of observation, patients with no signs of periodontitis were more likely to avoid new cardiovascular events. A total of 79% survived without a new cardiovascular event compared with 74% of patients without teeth and 66% of those with periodontitis.

The differences in patients under the age of 65 were even more noticeable: 90% of non-periodontitis subjects completed the year without a new cardiovascular event, compared with only 64% of those with periodontitis and 50% of those without teeth. In patients under the age of 65, periodontitis may cause a fivefold increase in the risk of recurrent, acute cardiovascular events in comparison with healthy people.

The research material examined 141 patients that were hospitalised for acute cardiovascular events (myocardial infarct or unstable angina pectoris). The double-blind trial involved registering the recurrence of new cardiovascular events over one year of observation following the administration of a three-month course of clarithromycin/placebo. X-rays were used to evaluate the status of teeth and tooth-supporting tissues. The presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, the two most important periodontal pathogens, was studied in the saliva, and the serum antibodies for these bacteria were measured using a method developed and used only at the Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki.

Periodontitis is an infection of the gingiva and tooth-supporting tissues that destroys the tissue fibres and alveolar bone that supports the teeth, and may eventually lead to loss of teeth. According to the Health 2000 study, up to 64% of the Finnish adult population has deepened periodontal pockets related to periodontitis and about 20% have a severe form of the disease.

Terhi Loukiainen | Source: alphagalileo
Further information: www.aka.fi

next article

More articles from Life Sciences:

nachricht Genome sequence for the domestic horse to be unveiled
06.11.2009 | University of California - Davis

nachricht Common plants can eliminate indoor air pollutants
06.11.2009 | American Society for Horticultural Science

All articles from Life Sciences >>>

B2B Search

Product / Service
Company / Organisation

Latest News

Airborne nitrogen shifts aquatic nutrient limitation in pristine lakes

06.11.2009 | Studies and Analyses

Genome sequence for the domestic horse to be unveiled

06.11.2009 | Life Sciences

New Study in Geology Uses Satellite Imagery to Identify Active Magma Systems in East Africa’s Rift Valley

06.11.2009 | Earth Sciences

VideoLinks

Event News

Texas Tech University Hosts Major Textile Conference in India

06.11.2009 | Event News

Brief Highlights of the Fluid Dynamics Conference, Minneapolis

30.10.2009 | Event News

EUROSAFE Forum 2009 Brussels: "Safety Implications of an Increased Demand for Nuclear Energy"

29.10.2009 | Event News