Insight into Immune Response from Periodontal Bacteria

The mouth is telling us something!

A very significant finding for diagnosing and improving the immune system response to bacterial attack comes from periodontal research from The University of Louisville School of Dentistry, published in Science Signaling. The study reports that a bacteria responsible for periodontal disease interferes with the communication network of the human immune system, preventing destruction of the bacteria (P. gingivalis) by white blood cells. This immune interference is a highly sophisticated approach to keeping  the bacteria viable in the body. Many diseases which trigger  immune dysfunctions (such as Lyme for example) interfere with immune response in unknown ways.  The hope  is that this particular finding  may improve treatment of both periodontal disease and other systemic disease in a more effective manner.

http://stke.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/sigtrans;3/109/ra11