Elevated IgG titers to periodontal pathogens related to Buerger disease

Background: Periodontal pathogens were frequently detected in the occluded arteries of Buerger disease patients, hence we hypothesized that the infection from periodontal pathogens may be associated with Buerger disease. Methods: We investigated periodontal status using various clinical parameters and serum IgG antibody levels against T. denticola, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. intermedia in nineteen Buerger disease patients and fifteen control subjects. The results were statistically analyzed. Results: The prevalence of periodontitis and the percentages of probing sites with PD >= 4 mm and CAL >= 4 mm were significantly higher in the patient group ( P<0.001, P= 0.016, and P<0.001, respectively). Patients had significantly higher serum IgG titers against T. denticola, P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans ( P= 0.002, P= 0.039, and P= 0.011, respectively). Conclusions: This study provides evidence for possible implications of periodontitis in Buerger disease. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.