PORPHYROMONAS GINGIVALIS AND CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS - RECENT ADVANCES

Abstract

Periodontal disease is multifactorial and it affects the tissues surrounding the teeth. Its etiology includes microrganisms as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. This work aimed to discuss the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis in chronic periodontitis. The electronic bases PubMed, BIREME and SciELO were used to search for historical aspects and studies published between 2000 and 2015, using the following descriptors in Portuguese and English: “Chronic periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis” and “Virulence factors”. 205 articles were found and 24 were included. Records on periodontal diseases from the early civilization to the present day were found. Its prevalence in the world’s population remains high and several studies report the pathogenesis of the disease. P. gingivalis is able to induce humoral and cellular response in infected individuals. Studies on its escape mechanisms and virulence factors report tissue breakdown consequent to immuno-inflammatory exacerbated response in the host which may evolve into edentulism. Studies of the immune response to P. gingivalis suggest its role in perpetuation of the inflammatory state by interfering with cytokines production and cell death mechanisms in the host’s cells, resulting in tissue destruction. The current knowledge about mechanisms of infection and virulence factors of P. gingivalis indicate its role as a key component in chronic periodontitis.