Influence of Oral Microbiota on the Presence of IgA Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies in Gingival Crevicular Fluid.

Introduction: The relation between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (PD) has been investigated ever since the discovery of the citrullinating enzyme peptidyl arginine deaminase presents in the oral bacterium . Recently, we demonstrated the presence of RA autoantibodies, especially of IgA anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of Indonesian patients with and without RA or PD which might indicate the local formation of RA antibodies in the periodontium.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess whether the subgingival microbiome is related to the presence of IgA ACPA in the GCF of healthy individuals with or without PD.

[Why physicians should pay attention to oral health too].

In literature oral health is broadly described and interrelations between oral health, general health and quality of life have been established. However, oral health is often overlooked by medical professionals, in contrast to veterinarians, who inspect the mouth of their patients as a standard procedure. In this manuscript the authors explain why patients could benefit if medical professionals pay more attention to oral health, by trying to inspire them to assess oral health as part of general health and to cooperate more with dental professionals to safeguard (oral) health.

No Obvious Role for Suspicious Oral Pathogens in Arthritis Development.

A particular role for (Pg) and (Aa) has been suggested in periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as these bacteria could initiate the formation of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticitrullinated protein autoantibodies (ACPA). We assessed whether serum antibodies against Pg and Aa in RA patients and non-RA controls reflect the subgingival presence of Pg and Aa, and evaluated the relationship of these antibodies to the severity of periodontal inflammation and RA-specific serum autoantibodies. In 70 Indonesian RA patients and 70 non-RA controls, the subgingival presence of Pg and Aa was assessed by bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and serum IgG levels specific for Pg and Aa were determined.

When should root remnants and unrestorable broken teeth be extracted in frail older adults?

Background: Many frail older adults have an unhealthy dentition; unrestorable broken teeth and root remnants with open root canals, commonly accompanied by periapical and periodontal inflammation, are often seen. Improving oral health in the growing group of frail older adults with remaining teeth is a considerable challenge for dental care professionals. Dentists are often uncertain how to deal with root remnants and unrestorable broken teeth in frail older adults.

Effect of Anti-Rheumatic Treatment on the Periodontal Condition of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients.

Periodontitis, a bacterial-induced infection of the supporting soft and hard tissues of the teeth (the periodontium), is common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As RA and periodontitis underlie common inflammatory pathways, targeting the progression of RA might mediate both periodontitis and RA. On the other hand, patients with RA on immunosuppressive medication have an increased risk of infection.

Levels of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies and Rheumatoid Factor, Including IgA Isotypes, and Articular Manifestations in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease.

Systemic presence of arthritis autoantibodies (AAb) is specific for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AAb initiation might be triggered by chronic mucosal inflammation, such as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed the prevalence of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients, with regard to the prevalence of joint complaints in AAb+ versus AAb- IBD patients.

Arthritis autoantibodies in individuals without rheumatoid arthritis: follow-up data from a Dutch population-based cohort (Lifelines).

Objectives: To assess whether the presence of arthritis autoantibodies alongside IgG ACPA predicts clinically suspect arthralgia in ACPA-positive subjects without RA.

Methods: In the population-based Lifelines cohort (n = 40 136), 308 IgG ACPA-positive individuals without RA were present. Serum levels of IgA ACPA, IgA and IgM RF, and IgG anti-carbamylated antibodies were measured at baseline.

Increased IgA anti-citrullinated protein antibodies in the periodontal inflammatory exudate of healthy individuals compared to rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Aim: To assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated autoantibodies in the gingivocrevicular fluid (GCF) of RA patients and healthy controls with or without periodontal disease, as chronic mucosal inflammation in periodontal disease is hypothesized to contribute to the formation of these autoantibodies.

Materials And Methods: Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and their IgA isotypes were assessed in the serum and GCF of RA patients (n = 72) and healthy controls (HC, n = 151). The presence and levels of these antibodies were studied in relation to interleukin (IL)-8 and periodontal disease.

Autoantibodies against citrullinated histone H3 in rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis patients.

Aim: To determine the presence of citrullinated histones in inflamed periodontal tissue and to determine the presence of anti-citrullinated histone autoantibodies in sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (PD) patients.

Methods: The presence of citrullinated histone H3, PAD4 and CD68 was determined in 15 periodontal tissue biopsies from PD patients by immunohistochemistry. Sera from 36 healthy controls (HC), 113 PD patients and 84 patients with RA were assessed on presence of autoantibodies against citrullinated histones by Western blot and against citrullinated histone H3 by ELISA.

Extracellular Proteome and Citrullinome of the Oral Pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is an oral pathogen associated with the inflammatory disease periodontitis. Periodontitis and P. gingivalis have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Regulatory CD4+ T-Cell Subsets and Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody Repertoire: Potential Biomarkers for Arthritis Development in Seropositive Arthralgia Patients?

Objective: Seropositive arthralgia patients (SAP) are at high risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This prospective study aimed to determine whether altered peripheral regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and defined subsets, besides a broadened anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) response, may qualify as biomarkers for RA development in SAP.

Methods: Thirty-four consecutive SAP were prospectively assessed every 6 months for minimally 2 years.

The peptidylarginine deiminase gene is a conserved feature of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Periodontitis is an infective process that ultimately leads to destruction of the soft and hard tissues that support the teeth (the periodontium). Periodontitis has been proposed as a candidate risk factor for development of the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Porphyromonas gingivalis, a major periodontal pathogen, is the only known prokaryote expressing a peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD) enzyme necessary for protein citrullination.

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated autoantibodies in non-rheumatoid arthritis patients with mucosal inflammation: a case-control study.

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated autoantibodies (RA-AAB) can be present in serum years before clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It has been hypothesized that initiation of RA-AAB generation occurs at inflamed mucosal surfaces, such as in the oral cavity or lungs. The aim of this study was to assess systemic presence of RA-AAB in patients without RA who had oral or lung mucosal inflammation.

Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: What Do We Know?

Background: Currently, in the field of rheumatology, there is much attention given towards the possible causality between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), specifically regarding the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg). This bacterium is unique, having a citrullinating enzyme. Antibodies against citrullinated proteins are rather specific for RA.

The proportion of cancellous bone as predictive factor for early marginal bone loss around implants in the posterior part of the mandible.

Aim: This study envisaged to explain early marginal bone loss (first years of function) around implants in the posterior area of the mandible by the local bone quality (ratio cortical vs. cancellous bone).

Material And Methods: Four hundred and twenty-three Brånemark MKIII implants inserted in the posterior region of the mandible were examined, retrospectively, on intra-oral radiographs taken at abutment connection, and 1 and 3-4 years after loading.

Lessons to be learned from periodontitis.

Purpose Of Review: This article reviews the link between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with regard to similarities in genetic risk factors and immunopathogenesis. Emphasis is paid to the potential role of the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis in the etiopathogenesis of both periodontitis and RA, in particular by post-translational modification of arginine into citrulline.

Recent Findings: P.

Periodontitis in established rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional clinical, microbiological and serological study.

Introduction: The association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis is suggested to be linked to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. Colonization of P. gingivalis in the oral cavity of RA patients has been scarcely considered.

Clinical reliability of non-organoleptic oral malodour measurements.

Aim: Measurement of volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) by portable sulphur monitors (Halimeter, OralChroma) is a common practice for diagnosis of oral malodour. In this study, the clinical value of these devices was examined.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and eighty patients with bad breath complaints attending a halitosis consultation were enrolled.

Characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a halitosis clinic.

Aims: The aim of this paper was to analyse the aetiology and characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a multidisciplinary bad breath clinic in Leuven, Belgium and to correlate organoleptic ratings with portable device measurements.

Materials And Methods: The characteristics and aetiology of breath malodour of two thousand consecutive patients who visited a halitosis consultation were explored by means of a standard questionnaire and a clinical examination, including organoleptic scores provided by a trained and calibrated judge, and a portable bad breath detector (Halimeter).

Results: Most patients came without referral and had complaints for several years (mean: 7 years, SD: 8 years).