BACTERIA THAT CAUSE PERIODONTAL DISEASE REDUCE ORAL DEFENSE AND INCREASE VIRAL GROWTH Researchers from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and their colleagues have discovered details of how proteins produced by oral epithelial cells protect humans against viruses entering the body through the mouth. They also found that oral bacteria can suppress the activity of these cells, increasing vulnerability to infection. A family of proteins in the mouth serve to protect humans from viral infection, but the oral bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis reduce the production and effectiveness of those important frontline def enders. P. gingivalis, which cause periodontal disease, can completely suppress interferon production and severely enhance susceptibility to viral infection. These resident oral plaque bacteria play a key role in regulating anti-viral responses. The mouth often is a gateway into the body for viruses that infect the gastrointestinal tract and lungs such as SARS- CoV-2, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex and cancer-causing viruses such as human papillomavirus (HPV). P. gingivalis, a common oral bacterium that causes periodontal disease, has been linked to numerous other diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent clinical studies have shown that immune suppression in patients with periodontitis can enhance susceptibility to HIV, herpes simplex and HPV. Previous research has revealed connections between P. gingivalis and multiple other diseases and conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and esophageal cancer. Presented as a service to the community by 669066L13-WS Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 BACTERIA THAT CAUSE PERIODONTAL DISEASE REDUCE ORAL DEFENSE AND INCREASE VIRAL GROWTH Researchers from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry and their colleagues have discovered details of how proteins produced by oral epithelial cells protect humans against viruses entering the body through the mouth . They also found that oral bacteria can suppress the activity of these cells , increasing vulnerability to infection . A family of proteins in the mouth serve to protect humans from viral infection , but the oral bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis reduce the production and effectiveness of those important frontline def enders . P. gingivalis , which cause periodontal disease , can completely suppress interferon production and severely enhance susceptibility to viral infection . These resident oral plaque bacteria play a key role in regulating anti - viral responses . The mouth often is a gateway into the body for viruses that infect the gastrointestinal tract and lungs such as SARS CoV - 2 , human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) , herpes simplex and cancer - causing viruses such as human papillomavirus ( HPV ) . P. gingivalis , a common oral bacterium that causes periodontal disease , has been linked to numerous other diseases , including Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid arthritis . Recent clinical studies have shown that immune suppression in patients with periodontitis can enhance susceptibility to HIV , herpes simplex and HPV . Previous research has revealed connections between P. gingivalis and multiple other diseases and conditions , including rheumatoid arthritis , Alzheimer's disease and esophageal cancer . Presented as a service to the community by 669066L13 - WS Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554