A new study sheds more light on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a key bacterial pathogen long associated with periodontitis and systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.
Although P. gingivalis is found in 10% to 25% of people with healthy gums, it is estimated to be present in 69% to 79% of those with periodontal disease.
In the latest early-stage research, researchers at the American Dental Association (ADA) Forsyth Research Institute have discovered specific antibodies that recognize outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) released by P. gingivalis. These OMVs—tiny particles that circulate in the blood—may reach the brain and other organs.
These antibodies, specifically immunoglobulin M (IgM), target unique sugar molecules on these vesicles, providing a potential avenue for early detection of P. gingivalis-related activity in the body.
“This discovery lays the foundation for the development of diagnostic tools that can detect the presence of P. gingivalis-related components in the body before the disease progresses significantly,” lead researcher Dr. Manda Yu said in a news release from the American Dental Association (ADA).
The study was initiated in early 2024 and was recently published in the American Society for Microbiology. The researchers said the findings could pave the way for new diagnostic and treatment approaches for gum disease and its associated health risks.
“We still have a lot of work to do in developing diagnostic and therapeutic applications, but these findings are a good start,” Yu said.
The new findings build on previous research that investigated how P. gingivalis evades the immune system. In 2024, Israeli researchers found that the bacteria can use the immunosuppressive protein CD47 to survive in inflamed tissue. Their research suggests that blocking CD47 or its ligand thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) may help improve bacterial clearance and reduce systemic inflammation.
There is growing evidence that P. gingivalis may play a role in more than just oral disease, and interest in therapeutic targets is growing.
In 2019, researchers discovered Porphyromonas gingivalis in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Toxic proteases produced by this bacterium, called gingipains, have also been found in brain tissue, suggesting a potential mechanism for neurodegenerative diseases.
This bacterium has also been linked to cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine found a strong association between periodontal disease and an increased risk of coronary artery disease. The researchers pointed to Porphyromonas gingivalis’ role in promoting systemic inflammation and its presence in arterial plaque as key factors.
As studies continue to link oral pathogens to broader health effects, researchers hope that early detection tools and targeted treatments could reduce the burden of gum disease and potentially reduce the risk of other serious conditions.
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