In silico search of inhibitors of Streptococcus mutans for the control of dental plaque.

Biofilm is an extremely complex microbial community arranged in a matrix of polysaccharides and attached to a substrate. Its development is crucial in the pathophysiology of oral infections like dental caries, as well as in periodontal, pulp, and periapical diseases. Streptococcus mutans is one of the most effective microorganisms in lactic acid production of the dental biofilm. Identifying essential Streptococcus mutans proteins using bioinformatics methods helps to search for alternative therapies. To this end, the bacterial genomes of several Streptococcus mutans strains and representative strains of other cariogenic and non-cariogenic bacteria were analysed by identifying pathogenicity islands and alignments with other bacteria, and by detecting the exclusive genes of cariogenic species in comparison to the non-pathogenic ones. This study used tools for orthology prediction such as BLAST and OrthoMCL, as well as the server IslandViewer for the detection of pathogenicity islands. In addition, the potential interactome of Streptococcus mutans was rebuilt by comparing it to interologues of other species phylogenetically close to or associated with cariogenicity. This protocol yielded a final list of 20 proteins related to potentially virulent factors that can be used as therapeutic targets in future analyses. The EIIA and EIIC enzymatic subunits of the phosphotransferase system (PTS) were prioritized, as well as the pyruvate kinase enzyme, which are directly involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and in obtaining the necessary energy for the microorganism's survival. These results will guide a subsequent experimental trial to develop new, safe, and effective molecules in the treatment of dental caries.

Tannerella forsythia is associated with increased levels of atherogenic low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol in chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence suggests that acute and chronic infections with periodontopathogens are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study was to assess whether Tanerella forsythia and Porphyromonas gingivalis are associated with increased levels of atherogenic low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and body mass index (BMI) in chronic periodontitis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical history and clinical and radiographic examination were conducted in 80 chronic periodontitis patients and 28 healthy individuals. Fasting blood samples were drawn for the measurement of the parameters of dyslipidemia. Anthropometric measurements such as height in meters and weight in kilograms were recorded. Both periodontitis and control subjects were asked to answer a questionnaire with regard to their socio-demographic and smoking status. The presence of T. forsythia, and P. gingivalis was detected using primers designed to target the respective 16S rRNA gene sequences. RESULTS: The occurrence of T. forsythia and P. gingivalis was higher in the group of subjects with periodontitis. Superior levels of triglycerides were observed in chronic periodontitis patients compared to healthy individuals. High levels of TC in periodontitis persons were significantly associated with increased bleeding on probing. Greater mean levels of TC and LDL were shown in the presence of T. forsythia (P<0.05). Likewise, higher proportions of patients with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 related with T. forsythia (P<0.05). T. forsythia was a significant discriminating factor in the multivariate linear regression model emerging as significant explanatory of increased levels of TC (ß=17,879, 95% CI = 4,357-31,401; p=0.01) and LDL (ß=17,162, 95% CI= 4,009-30,316; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of serum total cholesterol and LDL were observed in the occurrence of T. forsythia and the presence of this periodontopathogen may increase the atherogenic potency of low-density lipoprotein that may augment the risk for atherosclerosis in periodontal disease patients. Key words:Periodontitis, dyslipidemia, Tannerella forsythia, cardiovascular disease.

Tratamiento clínico de un paciente con periodontitis crónica avanzada generalizada en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia: reporte de un caso / Clinical treatment of a patient with generalized advanced chronic periodontitis at the School of Dentistry of Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia

La enfermedad periodontal afecta la salud del paciente comprometiendo la forma, función y estética del sistema estomatognático, llevando a un deterioro notable de la calidad de vida de las personas. En este caso clínico se presenta el tratamiento integral de unpaciente de sexo masculino de 43 años de edad con periodontitis crónica avanzada generalizada que incluyó: tratamiento periodontal no quirúrgico, quirúrgico y de rehabilitación oral, hecho durante dieciocho meses por un estudiante de último año del pregrado y un grupo de docentes especialistas en periodoncia y rehabilitación oral bajo la modalidad docencia-asistencial de la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Antioquia (Medellín, Colombia.

Periodontal disease affects the patient’s health altering the form, function, and esthetics of the stomatognathic system andproducing huge deterioration in the person’s quality of life. This clinical case presents the comprehensive treatment of a 43-year-old male patient with generalized advanced chronic periodontitis including: non-surgical and surgical periodontal treatment and oral rehabilitation during a period of eighteen months by a senior undergraduate student and a group of professors specialized in periodontics and oral rehabilitation under the modality of teaching-social assistance at the School of Dentistry of Universidad de Antioquia (Medellín, Colombia