Examining the Relationship: Porphyromonas gingivalis Presence in Subgingival and Atherosclerotic Plaques of Cadavers

Background: Atherosclerosis and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by inflammation and tissue destruction. Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen in periodontal disease, is implicated in initiating inflammation and tissue damage. Objectives: Given the potential link between periodontitis and the development of atherosclerotic plaques, this study aimed to investigate the presence of P. gingivalis DNA in subgingival and atherosclerotic plaques obtained from cadavers at the Tehran Forensic Medicine Center. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, cadavers with a postmortem interval of 6 hours and atherosclerotic plaques in their coronary arteries, along with subgingival plaques exhibiting pocket depths exceeding 5 mm, were examined. Subgingival plaque samples were collected from the deepest sites, while atherosclerotic plaque samples were harvested. Real-time PCR was employed to detect the presence of P. gingivalis in all samples, and the McNemar test was used for data analysis. Results: A total of 25 cadavers were included in the analysis, and both subgingival and atherosclerotic plaque samples were assessed. P. gingivalis DNA was identified in 40% of subgingival plaque samples and 16% of atherosclerotic plaque samples. Moreover, all positive atherosclerotic plaque samples also tested positive for P. gingivalis in the subgingival plaque. McNemar's analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the subgingival and atherosclerotic samples (P-value = 0.03). Additionally, a correlation coefficient of 0.53 was obtained. Conclusions: While the study has certain limitations, the findings indicate a significant association between the presence of P. gingivalis in subgingival and coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the precise role of this periopathogen in atherosclerotic plaque formation.