Quantification of Porphyromonas gingivalis using real-time polymerase chain reaction in subjects suffering from chronic periodontitis with and without rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis, highly virulent bacteria, is said to play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a microbial-induced inflammatory disease leading to tooth loss if undetected and untreated. RA is a systemic inflammatory disease affecting the joints with subsequent morbidity and mortality. These two diseases share a common pathobiology. Although the presence of P. gingivalis has been investigated as a bridging link between these two diseases, its quantification has not been fully elicited. Hence, this case-control study primarily aimed at quantifying P. gingivalis using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and secondarily assess the influence of age and gender on the clinical and biochemical parameters of these two diseases.

Materials and methods: The study population consisted of 51 patients divided into two age groups, i.e., 35-55 and 55-76 years. Twenty-five patients belonged to the test group (RA with CP) and 26 to the control group (CP without RA). Both the groups were analyzed for quantification of P. gingivalis using the qPCR technique along with periodontal and biochemical parameters. The study also analyzed the influence of age and gender on clinical characteristics.

Results: P. gingivalis count was exponentially raised in younger females having CP with RA. Age had no effect on clinical variables in CP patients with and without RA. However, gender comparison revealed RA factor and erythrocyte sedimentation rate to be more sensitive for females with significant relationship.

Conclusion: P. gingivalis count increased exponentially in CP patients with RA compared to those without RA. Younger females harbored more P. gingivalis.