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Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by periodontal pathogens

Authors Ogrendik M

Received 29 March 2013

Accepted for publication 30 April 2013

Published 24 May 2013 Volume 2013:6 Pages 383—386

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S45929

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Mesut Ogrendik

Division of Physical Therapy and Rheumatology, Nazilli State Hospital, Nazilli, Turkey

Abstract: A statistically significant association between periodontal disease (PD) and systemic diseases has been identified. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, exhibits similar characteristics and pathogenesis to PD. The association between RA and PD has been investigated, and numerous publications on this subject exist. Approximately 20 bacterial species have been identified as periodontal pathogens, and these organisms are linked to various types of PD. The most analyzed species of periodontopathic bacteria are Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Antibodies and DNA from these oral pathogens have been isolated from the sera and synovial fluids of RA patients. This rapid communication describes the role of periodontal pathogens in the etiopathogenesis of RA.

Keywords: etiopathogenesis, chronic arthritis, periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, systemic disease, animal models, antibiotics

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