Detection of risk SNPs and periopathogenic bacteria in periodontitis patients and healthy individuals in Slovak population

Objectives: Periodontitis represents a chronic disease, which requires the presence of a specific bacterial infection and uncontrolled immune response of the host organism and association of other environmental risk factors such as smoking, inadequate oral hygiene, and others. The identification both the presence and relationships among pathogenic bacterial species associated with periodontitis, as well as predisposing DNA polymorphisms play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of periodontitis. Material and Methods: The analysis was performed on isolated DNA samples obtained from the gingival sulcus using Real-Time PCR and TaqMan sequence specific probes. The potential association was assessed by OR with 95% CI and Fisher exact test. We have detected the periodontal pathogenic bacteria including A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. alocis, P. gingivalis, T. denticola, T. forsythia, P. intermedia, P. micra, F. nucleatum, C. rectus, E. nodatum, E. corrodens, and C. gingivalis associated with periodontitis. Additionally, we have examined risk SNPs in genes IL1A (rs1800587), IL1B (rs1143634), IL1RN (rs419598), TNF (rs1800629) and HLA-DRB1 (alelle *04) in the group of 107 patients with periodontitis and 87 healthy individuals. Periodontal indexes for all samples were measured during dental examinations. Results: The results indicate that the presence of mutations status in the TNF gene and HLA-DRB1 allele *04 may represent significant genetic risk factors. However, the main risk factor is suggested to be the presence of high-risk bacteria, especially red complex bacteria and A. actinomycetencomitans . Also, the combination of genetic risk factors and highly pathogenic bacteria revealed the highest OR values, indicating potentially the most relevant risk markers. Conclusions: The detection of periopathogenic bacteria and risk DNA polymorphisms associated with periodontitis using DNA techniques enable the identification of higher risk patients and supports a comprehensive approach in diagnostics. Clinical Relevance: The presented study leads to the determination of the higher risk patients, which could be followed by setting up more effective and personalized treatment.