RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes in patients affected by Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 394 subjects divided into four groups, RA, PE, RA and PE and healthy subjects. PE was diagnosed by using clinical attachment loss (CAL) and probing depth (PD) indexes. Presence of P. gingivalis and its genotypes was identified by polymerase chain reaction in subgingival biofilm. RESULTS: P. gingivalis was more frequent in patients with RA (82.69%), and fimA II genotype was the most frequent in all groups, especially in PE/RA (76.71%). There was statistical difference (p < .05) regarding the frequency of P. gingivalis genotypes such as fimA Ib, II and III. CONCLUSIONS: Distribution of P. gingivalis fimA II genotypes was different among groups, it could play a critical role in the presence of PE in RA patients.