Oral health is an important but underappreciated component of overall health. A new study published in eLife has shown that infection with a common oral bacterium that causes gum disease and bad breath, Fusobacterium nucleatum, may increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease.
The authors of the study collected health data, blood samples, and genetic data from almost 3,500 people participating in a Swiss study called the CoLaus|PsyCoLaus study. The participants were followed for 12 years after the start of the study, during which about 6% developed coronary heart disease. Participants’ blood samples were tested for antibodies against a variety of infections, including several viruses, bacteria, and a parasite. Additionally, genetic risk and other lifestyle and health-related risk factors were measured.
After adjusting for known risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the results showed that the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum antibodies, which indicate a current or previous infection with the bacterium, were linked to a higher risk of experiencing a cardiovascular disease event. In addition, higher genetic risk was associated with a higher risk of experiencing a cardiovascular disease event, which has been shown in previous studies.
The authors noted that Fusobacterium nucleatum infection may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease because it increases systematic inflammation through its location in the mouth. It is also possible that the bacteria may colonize arterial walls or arterial plaque, which would more directly raise the risk of coronary heart disease. These results add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that the inflammation caused by infections may lead to a greater risk of heart disease. Additionally, these results may help identify high-risk individuals and aid practitioners in providing preventive care to those at higher risk.
Sources: eLife, Science Daily
