PhD Scientific Days 2026

Cardiovascular Medicine and Research 3.

Porphyromonas gingivalis in the Oral Cavity Significantly Increases Odds in Cardiovascular Tissues

Name of the presenter

Kelly, Caroline

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Centre for Translational Medicine

Authors

Dr. Caroline Kelly¹, Dr. Eniko V. Szabo², Dr. Zsolt M. Lohinai², Marie-Anne Engh², Yasir Nabeel Al-Mohammad², Marton Kivovics², Boglarka Szentes², Peter Hegyi², Beata Keremi²
1: Centre for Translational Medicine
2: Semmelweis University

Text of the abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the leading cause of death globally, with inflammation playing a key role in its development. Growing research indicates that oral bacteria may contribute to systemic inflammatory responses. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), the primary pathogen in periodontitis, can enter the bloodstream and potentially impact cardiovascular health.

This study aimed to investigate whether detecting P. gingivalis in oral samples is associated with a higher likelihood of finding the bacterium in cardiovascular tissues, thereby supporting a biological connection between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases.

A systematic review was carried out following PRISMA guidelines. Searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were conducted through August 21, 2025. Eligible studies included those that examined matched oral and cardiovascular samples from the same individuals. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Risk of bias was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist for cross-sectional studies.

Seventeen studies involving 605 participants met the inclusion criteria. Results showed that individuals with P. gingivalis detected in oral samples had significantly greater odds of its presence in cardiovascular tissues (OR = 3.87; 95% CI: 1.64–9.14). The strongest association was observed in patients with atherosclerotic plaque (OR = 5.00; 95% CI: 1.62–15.47). Among vascular sites, coronary artery samples demonstrated the highest detection probability (OR = 5.90; 95% CI: 2.25–15.45).

These results offer strong quantitative support for the movement of P. gingivalis from the oral cavity into the cardiovascular system. The findings further suggest that periodontitis should be viewed not only as a localized oral condition but also as a modifiable risk factor for CVD. Incorporating periodontal treatment into cardiovascular prevention strategies may help reduce systemic inflammation and ease the overall burden of cardiovascular disease.

Supported by the Semmelweis University Research, Development and Innovation Fund.