Streptococcus Mutans Implication in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis (A Conceptual Mini-Review of Literature)
Tomas Kačergius, Zita Kučinskienė
Santrauka
Oral microorganisms compose the largest part of normal human microbiota important for the certain physiological processes. However, under favourable circumstances, they can change usual ecosystem and cause various pathologies in the human body. One of such microorganisms is Streptococcus mutans which damages teeth enamel and consequently causes dental caries due to fermentation of carbohydrates in the mouth. If during dental procedures this bacterium invades blood circulation system, then it can reach heart and cause the inflammation of valves’ endocardium - infective endocarditis. At present time, there are performed scientific investigations that prove the direct link between S. mutans and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In these studies, researchers reveal a very high identification rate of S. mutans within human heart valve tissues and atherosclerotic plaques by employing molecular techniques. Moreover, this streptococcus apparently dominates in comparison with other microorganisms found in the atherosclerotic plaques. Other research studies demonstrate that S. mutans strains isolated from blood of the patients with infective endocarditis have genotypic alterations as compared to S. mutans UA159 strain isolated from oral cavity. The mentioned facts show that S. mutans has unique invasive and adhesive characteristics, which help him to survive and adapt in the blood circulation system. These are sufficient reasons for planning and developing new scientific studies in order to find out mechanisms of the relationship between S. mutans and atherosclerosis. The present mini-review of the literature is focused on S. mutans implication to oral and cardiovascul ar diseases, and the new hypothesis is raised pointing out further research directions.
Keywords: Streptococcus mutans, dental car ies, ath ero scle ro sis, in fec tive endocarditis.
