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Porphyromonas gingivalis not Prevalent in Small Cohort of Children With JIA
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ORLANDO, Fla. — “Most periodontitis cases among children and adolescents occur as manifestation of certain systemic disease with an impaired immune system that compromises their response to microbial plaque,” study author Nancy Delnay, CNP, MSN, RN, wrote in a poster presented at Rheumatology Nurses Society Annual Conference.
Delnay, of Akron Children’s Hospital in Ohio, sought to determine the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The author looked at a convenience sample of 15 children who had juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and tested positive for rheumatoid factor or cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Children were age 10 to 21 years. Disease activity was recorded as low, medium or high; periodontal disease was observed during an oral exam; and Pg was determined by testing a salvia sample, according to the poster. Delnay noted that JIA and periodontal disease are inflammatory diseases that both have redness and swelling.
“Upon physical examination, 10 to 15 children (66%) examined showed signs of localized inflammation of gingiva to one or more teeth, none of the 15 had generalized gingiva inflammation,” the author wrote.
Delnay noted the patient with the highest level of pathogens had the lowest level of JIA activity. All children in the cohort were positive for Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) but because these bacteria were found in an age-matched control group, the author deemed this finding not significant.
Delnay wrote that Pg was not found to be prevalent in this small cohort. She noted that further research is needed about the role of oral microbiota and JIA.
“Future studies would include a control group from the general population or other children with JIA,” she wrote. “The presence of bacteria associated with an inflammatory process, such as [periodontal disease] PD, emphasizes the importance of inclusion of oral health exam.” – by Joan-Marie Stiglich, ELS
Reference:
Delnay N. Mouth matters. Poster #9. Rheumatology Nurses Annual Conference; Aug. 9-12, 2017; Orlando, Fla.
Disclosure: Carpenter reports no relevant financial disclosures.