Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Atherosclerosis

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition around the teeth which affects 20-50% of the worldwide population. In periodontal disease, the bacterial plaque destroys the epithelium of the periodontal pocket and breaks the barrier that separates the tissue and the circulation, allowing oral bacteria and their endotoxins and exotoxins to enter the bloodstream. This can cause health problems, such as atherosclerosis. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is commonly found in patients with periodontitis and the number of Aa is associated with atherosclerotic lesion size in humans. This review focuses on Aa and atherosclerosis with an emphasis on the interaction of Aa with cell types involved in atherosclerosis formation.