Native Pig Neutrophil Products: Insights into Their Antimicrobial Activity.

Cationic antimicrobial peptides are molecules with potential applications for treating infections due to their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this work was to explore the antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of action of a porcine neutrophil cathelicidin mixture (MPPN). Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and experiments of both time-kill kinetics and effects on growth curves were performed. Planar black lipid bilayer conductance was measured to analyze the interaction of MPPN with lipid bilayers. Visualization of bacterial surfaces and membrane alterations was achieved using atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The effects on the activity of efflux pumps (EPs) were studied with an intracellular accumulation of acridine orange (AO) assay. In E. coli, MPPN behaves as a bactericide at high concentrations and as a bacteriostatic at lower concentrations. The bacteriostatic effect was also observed for slightly shorter periods in S. enterica. The mixture was not active on S. aureus. The increase in AO accumulation in the presence of MPPN indicates that, at least in E. coli, the mixture causes inhibition of the EP function. Observed and detected variable conductance events demonstrate a strong MPPN effect on lipid bilayers. Damage to the structure of treated E. coli indicates that MPPN induces alterations in the bacterial surface. The use of AMPs capable of inhibiting EP can be seen as a good tool to combat antimicrobial resistance since they could be used alone or in combination with other conventional antibiotics to which bacteria have become resistant.

Progress towards the clinical use of antimicrobial peptides: challenges and opportunities.

INTRODUCTION: To overcome the challenge of multidrug resistance, natural and synthetic peptides are candidates to become the basis of innovative therapeutics, featuring diverse mechanisms of action. Traditionally, the time elapsed from medical discoveries to their application is long. The urgency derived from the emergence of antibiotic resistance recommends an acceleration of research to put the new weapons in the hands of clinicians. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review introduces ideas and suggestions of new strategies that may be used as a basis upon which to recommend reduced development times and to facilitate the arrival of new molecules in the fight against microbes. EXPERT OPINION: Although studies on new innovative antimicrobial treatments are being conducted, sooner rather than later, more clinical trials, preclinical and translational research are needed to promote the development of innovative antimicrobial treatments for multidrug resistant infections. The situation is worrying, no less than that generated by pandemics such as the ones we have just experienced and conflicts such as world wars. Although from the point of view of human perception, resistance to antibiotics may not seem as serious as these other situations, it is possibly the hidden pandemic that most jeopardizes the future of medicine.

Mucoadhesive Pharmacology: Latest Clinical Technology in Antiseptic Gels.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is one of the most widely used antiseptics in the oral cavity due to its high antimicrobial potential. However, many authors have stated that the effect of CHX in nonsurgical periodontal therapy is hampered by its rapid elimination from the oral environment. The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial efficacy of a new compound of chlorhexidine 0.20% + cymenol (CYM) 0.10% on a multispecies biofilm. For this, an in vitro study was designed using a multispecies biofilm model of Streptococcus mutans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. Quantification of the microbial viability of the biofilm was performed using 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium-chloride (CTC) to calculate the percentage of survival, and the biofilms were observed using a a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). It was observed that the bactericidal activity of the CHX + cymenol bioadhesive gel was superior to that of the CHX bioadhesive gel, in addition to higher penetrability into the biofilm. Therefore, there was greater elimination of bacterial biofilm with the new compound of chlorhexidine 0.2% plus cymenol 0.1% in a bioadhesive gel form compared to the formulation with only chlorhexidine 0.2% in a bioadhesive gel form.

Substantivity of mouth-rinse formulations containing cetylpyridinium chloride and O-cymen-5-ol: a randomized-crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of mouth-rinses strongly depends upon their substantivity. The use of natural and non-toxic products that avoid secondary effects is gaining interest in preventive dentistry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the substantivity of two formulations of mouth-washing solutions based on cetylpyridinium (CPC) and O-cymen-5-ol. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial conducted at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Barcelona. Bacterial re-colonization was followed by live/dead (SYTOTM9 + propidium iodide) bacterial staining and measured by confocal laser scanning microscopy and fluorometry. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 16 healthy individuals at baseline saliva and then, at 15 min, 30 min and 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after the following mouth-rinses: (i) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of placebo (negative control); (ii) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of CPC (0.05%) ; (iii) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of O-cymen-5-ol (0.09%); (iv) a single, 1-min mouth-rinse with 15 ml of CPC (0.05%) + O-cymen-5-ol (0.09%). RESULTS: Proportion of dead bacteria was significantly higher for all mouthrinses during the first 15 min compared to baseline (CPC = 48.0 ± 13.9; 95% CI 40.98-56.99; p < 0.001, O-cymen-5-ol = 79.8 ± 21.0; 95% CI 67.71-91.90; p < 0.05, CPC + O-cymen-5-ol = 49.4 ± 14; 95% CI 40.98-56.99; p < 0.001 by fluorometry and 54.8 ± 23.0; 95% CI 41.50-68.06; p < 0.001, 76.3 ± 17.1; 95% CI 66.36-86.14; p < 0.001, 47.4 ± 11.9; 95% CI 40.49-54.30; p < 0.001 by confocal laser scanning microscopy, respectively). Nevertheless, after 4 h, CPC + O-cymen-5-ol was the only one that obtained significant values as measured by the two quantification methods used (80.3 ± 22.8; 95% CI 67.15-93.50; p < 0.05 and 81.4 ± 13.8; 95% CI 73.45-89.43; p < 0.05). The combined use of CPC + O-cymen-5-ol increased the substantivity of the mouthrinse with respect to mouthrinses prepared with either of the two active products alone. CONCLUSION: The synergistic interaction of CPC and O-cymen-5-ol prolongs their substantivity. The resulting formulation may be as effective as other antimicrobials, such as triclosan or chlorhexidine, but without their undesirable secondary effects. Thus, mouthrinsing products based on Combinations of CPC and O-cymen-5-ol may replace in the near future Triclosan and Chlorhexidine-based mouthrinses.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection at the University of Barcelona during the Third COVID-19 Pandemic Wave in Spain.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic started in December 2019 and still is a major global health challenge. Lockdown measures and social distancing sparked a global shift towards online learning, which deeply impacted universities' daily life, and the University of Barcelona (UB) was not an exception. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic at the UB. To that end, we performed a cross-sectional study on a sample of 2784 UB members (n = 52,529). Participants answered a brief, ad hoc, online epidemiological questionnaire and provided a nasal swab for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) SARS-CoV-2 analysis and a venous blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody assay. Total prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (positive RT-PCR or positive IgG) was 14.9% (95%CI 13.3 to 17.0%). Forty-four participants (1.6%, 95%CI: 1.2-2.1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. IgG against SARS-CoV-2 was observed in 12.8% (95%CI: 11.6-14.1%) of participants. Overall, while waiting for population vaccination and/or increased herd immunity, we should concentrate on identifying and isolating new cases and their contacts.

Systemic Antibiotic Prophylaxis to Reduce Early Implant Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Systemic antibiotics are routinely prescribed in implant procedures, but the lack of consensus causes large differences between clinicians regarding antibiotic prophylaxis regimens. The objectives of this systematic review are to assess the need to prescribe antibiotics to prevent early implant failure and find the most appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis regimen. The electronic search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scielo and Cochrane Central Trials Database for randomized clinical trials of at least 3 months of follow-up. Eleven studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Antibiotics were found to statistically significantly reduce early implant failures (RR = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.19-0.47, p < 0.00001; heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 0.54). No differences were seen between preoperative or both pre- and postoperative antibiotic regimens (RR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.21-1.55, p = 0.27; heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 0.37). A single preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis dose was found to be enough to significantly reduce early implant failures compared to no antibiotic (RR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.21-0.53, p < 0.00001; heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 0.61). In conclusion, in healthy patients a single antibiotic prophylaxis dose is indicated to prevent early implant failure.

Tambjamines and Prodiginines: Biocidal Activity against Trypanosoma cruzi.

The aim of this work was to explore new therapeutic options against Chagas disease by the in vitro analysis of the biocidal activities of several tambjamine and prodiginine derivatives, against the Trypanosoma cruzi CLB strain (DTU TcVI). The compounds were initially screened against epimastigotes. The five more active compounds were assayed in intracellular forms. The tambjamine MM3 and both synthetic and natural prodigiosins displayed the highest trypanocidal profiles, with IC50 values of 4.52, 0.46, and 0.54 µM for epimastigotes and 1.9, 0.57, and 0.1 µM for trypomastigotes/amastigotes, respectively. Moreover, the combination treatment of these molecules with benznidazole showed no synergism. Finally, oxygen consumption inhibition determinations performed using high-resolution respirometry, revealed a potent effect of prodigiosin on parasite respiration (73% of inhibition at ½ IC50), suggesting that its mode of action involves the mitochondria. Moreover, its promising selectivity index (50) pointed out an interesting trypanocidal potential and highlighted the value of prodigiosin as a new candidate to fight Chagas disease.

Using prodigiosin against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Trypanosoma cruzi.

BACKGROUND: This work aimed to explore the action of natural prodigiosin on both bacterial organisms and Trypanosoma cruzi cells. METHODS: Natural prodigiosin pigment was extracted and purified from cultures of Serratia marcescens. Two media, peanut broth and peptone glycerol broth, both recommended in the literature for prodigiosin production, were compared. The prodigiosin obtained was employed to explore its antimicrobial properties against both bacteria and Trypanosoma cruzi cells. RESULTS: Peanut broth yielded four times more prodigiosin. The prodigiosin showed remarkable activity (minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 2-8 µM for bacteria and half maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.6 µM for Trypanosoma cruzi). In fact, the prodigiosin concentration required to inhibit parasite growth was as low as 0.25 mg/l versus 4.9 mg/l of benznidazole required. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy revealed marked morphological alterations in treated epimastigote forms, although no pore-formation activity was detected in protein-free environments. CONCLUSIONS: This work demonstrates the potential usefulness of prodigiosin against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Trypanosoma cruzi although further studies must be done in order to assess its value as a candidate molecule.

Using prodigiosin against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Trypanosoma cruzi

This work aimed to explore the action of natural prodigiosin on both bacterial organisms and Trypanosoma cruzi cells. Methods: Natural prodigiosin pigment was extracted and purified from cultures of Serratia marcescens. Two media, peanut broth and peptone glycerol broth, both recommended in the literature for prodigiosin production, were compared. The prodigiosin obtained was employed to explore its antimicrobial properties against both bacteria and Trypanosoma cruzi cells. Results: Peanut broth yielded four times more prodigiosin. The prodigiosin showed remarkable activity (minimal inhibitory concentrations in the range of 2-8 µM for bacteria and half maximal inhibitory concentration of 0.6 µM for Trypanosoma cruzi). In fact, the prodigiosin concentration required to inhibit parasite growth was as low as 0.25 mg/l versus 4.9 mg/l of benznidazole required. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy revealed marked morphological alterations in treated epimastigote forms, although no pore-formation activity was detected in protein-free environments. Conclusions: This work demonstrates the potential usefulness of prodigiosin against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and Trypanosoma cruzi although further studies must be done in order to assess its value as a candidate molecule.(AU)

Novel synthetic polymyxins kill Gram-positive bacteria.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus, including 'superbug' MRSA, is a major cause of nosocomial infections. In the European Union, up to 171 200 new nosocomial MRSA infections are acquired annually, and in the USA S. aureus causes more deaths than HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined. MRSA is also the first group of pathogens that infect the pulmonary tract in young patients with cystic fibrosis. Objectives: We describe two newly developed and synthesized colistin (polymyxin E)-inspired molecules. Methods: A collection of several isolates of S. aureus [including MRSA and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA)] was tested. To check the antimicrobial activity, we performed time-kill curves, growth curves, biofilm eradication, toxicity and isothermal titration calorimetry. Results: Both peptides showed high antimicrobial activities (MIC 4 mg/L) and low relative toxicities (selectivity index close to 23). Conclusions: Successful production of polymyxin-scaffold molecules active against S. aureus, both MRSA and VRSA, opens up new approaches to the treatment of these complicated infections.

Clinical laser treatment of toenail onychomycoses.

Onychomycoses are fungal infections of the fingernails or toenails having a prevalence of 3% among adults and accounts for 50% of nail infections. It is caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte filamentous fungi, and yeasts. Compressions and microtraumas significantly contribute to onychomycosis. Laser and photodynamic therapies are being proposed to treat onychomycosis. Laser light (1064 nm) was used to treat onychomycosis in 156 affected toenails. Patients were clinically followed up for 9 months after treatment. Microbiological detection of fungal presence in lesions was accomplished. A total of 116 samples allowed the isolation of at least a fungus. Most of nails were affected in more than two thirds surface (some of them in the full surface). In 85% of cases, after 18 months of the onset of treatment, culture turned negative. After 3 months months, only five patients were completely symptom-free with negative culture. In 25 patients, only after 6 months, the absence of symptoms was achieved and the cultures negativized; in 29 patients, 9 months were required. No noticeable adverse effects were reported. This study reinforces previous works suggesting the applicability of laser therapies to treat toenail onychomycosis.

New and old tools to evaluate new antimicrobial peptides.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance due to the overuse of antimicrobials together with the existence of naturally untreatable infections well demonstrates the need for new instruments to fight microbes. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are a promising family of molecules in this regard, because they abundantly occur in nature and the results of preliminary studies of their clinical potential have been encouraging. However, further progress will benefit from the standardization of research methods to assess the antimicrobial properties of AMPs. Here we review the diverse methods used to study the antimicrobial power of AMPs and recommend a pathway to explore new molecules. The use of new methodologies to quantitatively evaluate the physical effect on bacterial biofilms such as force spectroscopy and surface cell damage evaluation, constitute novel approaches to study new AMPs.

Benznidazole Nanoformulates: A Chance to Improve Therapeutics for Chagas Disease.

This article describes the characterization of various encapsulated formulations of benznidazole, the current first-line drug for the treatment of Chagas disease. Given the adverse effects of benznidazole, safer formulations of this drug have a great interest. In fact, treatment of Chagas disease with benznidazole has to be discontinued in as much as 20% of cases due to side effects. Furthermore, modification of delivery and formulations could have potential effects on the emergence of drug resistance. The trypanocidal activity of new nanostructured formulations of benznidazole to eliminate Trypanosoma cruzi was studied in vitro as well as their toxicity in two cultured mammalian cell lines (HepG2 and Fibroblasts). Nanoparticles tested included nanostructured lipid carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, quatsomes, and cyclodextrins. The in vitro cytotoxicity of cyclodextrins-benznidazole complexes was significantly lower than that of free benznidazole, whereas their trypanocidal activity was not hampered. These results suggest that nanostructured particles may offer improved therapeutics for Chagas disease.

Identification and characterization of a cell wall porin from Gordonia jacobaea.

Gordonia jacobaea is a bacterium belonging to the mycolata group characterized by its ability to produce carotenoids. Mycolic acids in the cell wall contribute to reducing the permeability of their envelopes requiring the presence of channel-forming proteins to allow the exchange of hydrophilic molecules with the surrounding medium. Identification and purification of the channel-forming proteins was accomplished by SDS-PAGE, Mass spectrometry and Mass peptide fingerprinting and the channel-forming activity was studied by reconstitution in lipid bilayers. Here, we describe for the first time the presence of a cell-wall protein from G. jacobaea with channel-forming activity. Our results suggest that this protein bears a low similarity to other hypothetical proteins from the genus Gordonia of uncharacterized functions. The channel has an average single-channel conductance of 800 pS in 1 M KCl, is moderately anion-selective, and does not show any voltage dependence for voltages between +100 and -100 mV. The channel characteristics suggest that this protein could be of relevance in the import and export of negatively charged molecules across the cell wall. This could contribute to design treatments for mycobacterial infections, as well as being of interest in biotechnology applications.

Free and Nanoencapsulated Tobramycin: Effects on Planktonic and Biofilm Forms of Pseudomonas.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder in which frequent pulmonary infections develop secondarily. One of the major pulmonary pathogens colonizing the respiratory tract of CF patients and causing chronic airway infections is Pseudomonasaeruginosa. Although tobramycin was initially effective against P. aeruginosa, tobramycin-resistant strains have emerged. Among the strategies for overcoming resistance to tobramycin and other antibiotics is encapsulation of the drugs in nanoparticles. In this study, we explored the antimicrobial activity of nanoencapsulated tobramycin, both in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC), against clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa obtained from CF patients. We also investigated the efficacy of these formulations in biofilm eradication. In both experiments, the activities of SLN and NLC were compared with that of free tobramycin. The susceptibility of planktonic bacteria was determined using the broth microdilution method and by plotting bacterial growth. The minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) was determined to assess the efficacy of the different tobramycin formulations against biofilms. The activity of tobramycin-loaded SLN was less than that of either tobramycin-loaded NLC or free tobramycin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MBEC of nanoencapsulated tobramycin were slightly lower (1-2 logs) than the corresponding values of the free drug when determined in tobramycin-susceptible isolates. However, in tobramycin-resistant strains, the MIC and MBEC did not differ between either encapsulated form and free tobramycin. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of nanoencapsulated formulations in killing susceptible P. aeruginosa from CF and from other patients.

Determination of the spatiotemporal dependence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm viability after treatment with NLC-colistin.

The emergence of colistin-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, particularly after long-term inhalation treatments, has been recently reported. Nanoen-capsulation may enable preparations to overcome the limitations of conventional pharmaceutical forms. We have determined the time-dependent viability of P. aeruginosa biofilms treated with both free and nanoencapsulated colistin. We also examined the relationship between the optimal anti-biofilm activity of nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-colistin and the structural organization of the biofilm itself. The results showed the more rapid killing of P. aeruginosa bacterial biofilms by NLC-colistin than by free colistin. However, the two formulations did not differ in terms of the final percentages of living and dead cells, which were higher in the inner than in the outer layers of the treated biofilms. The effective anti-biofilm activity of NLC-colistin and its faster killing effect recommend further studies of its use over free colistin in the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections in CF patients.

An overview of antimicrobial peptides and the latest advances in their development.

INTRODUCTION: The recent dramatic increase in the incidence of antimicrobial resistance has been recognized by organizations such as the United Nations and World Health Organization as well as the governments of the USA and several European countries. A relatively new weapon in the fight against severe infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria is antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These include colistin, currently regarded as the last line of antimicrobial therapy against multi-drug resistant microorganisms. Areas covered: Here, the authors provide an overview of the current research on AMPs. The focus is AMPs currently being developed for the treatment of recalcitrant bacterial infections, the synergies of AMPs and antibiotics, and the activity of AMPs against biofilm. This review also includes a brief introduction into the use of AMPs in infections caused by Mycobacterium, fungi, and parasites. Expert opinion: In research into new antimicrobials, AMPs are gaining increasing attention. While many are natural and are produced by a wide variety of organisms, others are being newly designed and chemically synthesized in the laboratory to achieve novel antimicrobial agents. The same strategy to fight infections in nature is thus being effectively exploited to safeguard human and animal health.

Human papillomaviruses genotyping in plantar warts.

Plantar warts are caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and have been associated with several HPV genotypes. However, there are few studies focused exclusively on plantar warts. In this work, we aim to identify the HPV genotypes of plantar warts and explore their relation to demographic and clinical characteristics of patients. A total of 72 patients diagnosed with plantar warts were recruited at the Laser unit at Podiatric Hospital, University of Barcelona, Spain. Inner hyperkeratosis laminar sections of warts were collected and DNA of samples were extracted. Amplification of a conserved region of the HPV L1 gene was performed with the SK-Polymerase chain reaction method. DNA amplicons were sequenced and HPV types identified. The most prevalent genotypes detected among the 105 analyzed plantar warts were HPV-57 (37.1%), HPV-27 (23.8%), HPV-1a (20.9%), HPV-2 (15.2%), and HPV-65 (2.8%). The majority of patients (78%) presented one single plantar wart, whereas multiple warts were detected in 22.2% of patients. One patient with multiple warts presented HPV types from two different genera, suggesting the spread of warts by self-inoculation as well as by de novo infection. No significant differences between the number of warts in toes, midfoot and heel were found. The most prevalent HPV types detected in all areas belonged to the alpha genus. This work provides new insight on plantar warts and their associated HPV genotypes, and evidences the usefulness and reliability of both the sample collection procedure and the PCR method used for HPV detection and typing. J. Med. Virol. 89:902-907, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Synergistic Antipseudomonal Effects of Synthetic Peptide AMP38 and Carbapenems.

The aim was to explore the antimicrobial activity of a synthetic peptide (AMP38) and its synergy with imipenem against imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The main mechanism of imipenem resistance is the loss or alteration of protein OprD. Time-kill and minimal biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) determinations were carried out by using clinical imipenem-resistant strains. AMP38 was markedly synergistic with imipenem when determined in imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. MBEC obtained for the combination of AMP38 and imipenem was of 62.5 µg/mL, whereas the MBEC of each antimicrobial separately was 500 µg/mL. AMP38 should be regarded as a promising antimicrobial to fight MDR P. aeruginosa infections. Moreover, killing effect and antibiofilm activity of AMP38 plus imipenem was much higher than that of colistin plus imipenem.

Oral Microbiota, Periodontal Status, and Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Females.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in hormone levels during menopause decrease bone density and may worsen oral health, favoring the growth of periodontal pathogens, whose detection could improve the diagnosis of periodontitis. The aim of this study is to detect and quantify the main periodontal pathogens in the oral microbiota of postmenopausal females and to explore the relationship between clinical and periodontal parameters. METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study of 76 postmenopausal females. Dental examinations and sampling for microbiologic evaluation were performed, and a history of osteoporosis/osteopenia was collected. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for detecting and quantifying Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Campylobacter rectus (Cr), and Tannerella forsythia (Tf). The results obtained were subjected to statistical analyses. Statistical significance was defined as P <0.05. RESULTS: Periodontitis was detected in 77.1% of females with osteoporosis/osteopenia (P >0.05). A significant correlation was found between osteoporosis and missing teeth. T. forsythia and C. rectus were detected in 100% of the samples, Fn and Pg in 98.7%, and Aa in 73.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis did not influence the prevalence of periodontitis among postmenopausal females. The presence of periodontopathogenic bacteria was not sufficient to confirm disease. A preventive maintenance program for postmenopausal females, particularly osteoporotic females, who are at greater risk of tooth loss, could minimize the potential effects of bone loss on periodontal tissues.