Filifactor alocis and Dialister pneumosintes in a Mexican population affected by periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis: An exploratory study

Abstract

Filifactor alocis and Dialister pneumosintes have been associated with the initiation and progression of periodontitis (PE). We determined and compared the frequency of both bacteria in patients with PE, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and PE/RA simultaneously. Detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction in the subgingival biofilm. Bacteria were more frequent in patients with PE, and clinical periodontal parameters such as pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were significantly higher in patients with PE/RA. F. alocis and D. pneumosintes could influence PD and CAL, hence participating in the initiation and progression of PE in patients with RA.

Keywords: periodontal pathogens; periodontitis; rheumatoid arthritis.