New Study Suggests Oral Bacteria May Increase Risk of Heart Disease

USA: A new study published in eLife, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, has suggested that infection with a bacterium known for causing gum disease and bad breath may increase the risk of heart disease.

The findings indicate that physicians may want to screen individuals for colonization or infection with the oral bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum to identify those at risk of heart disease.

The study also suggests that treatments for infection with the bacterium could help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Combination of Risk Factors Contributes to Heart Disease

Heart disease is responsible for one-third of all deaths worldwide, and a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors contributes to the development of the disease.

Coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease, is caused by the build-up of plaque in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. This build-up can also lead to blockages that cause heart attacks.

Infections linked to Increased Risk of Plaque Build-up

Previous studies have linked certain infections to an increased risk of plaque build-up, which contributes to the development of heart disease. A press release issued by ScienceDaily highlights the role of infections in the development of heart disease.

The study analyzes genetic information, health data, and blood samples. Lead author Flavia Hodel and colleagues analyzed genetic information, health data, and blood samples from a subset of 3,459 people who participated in the CoLaus|PsyCoLaus Study, a Swiss population-based cohort.

Over the 12-year follow-up period, approximately 6% of participants experienced a heart attack or other harmful cardiovascular event.

The team tested participants’ blood samples for the presence of antibodies against 15 different viruses, 6 bacteria, and 1 parasite. After adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors, the authors found that antibodies against F. nucleatum were linked with a slightly increased risk of a cardiovascular event.

The study published in eLife suggests that infection with the oral bacterium F. nucleatum may increase the risk of heart disease. The findings indicate that physicians may want to screen individuals for colonization or infection with the bacterium to identify those at risk of heart disease.

According to the researchers, further research is needed to fully understand the role of infections, inflammation, and genetic risk factors in the development of heart disease.