Plaque bacteria can trigger endocarditis

Oral bacteria that get into the system can cause thrombus that induce a life-threatening condition that is endocarditis. To follow up on this, scientists are trying to create a drug used to cure heart disease infection.

Streptococcus Gordonii is an oral resident who assisted form dental plaque. These bacteria can get into the blood vessels through the contaminated gum area.

Researchers found that S. Gordonii is able to produce a substance that appears like the protein fibrinogen, a clots factor. This substance triggers the platelets, thus making them heap and block the
veins. This will cover the thrombus of bacteria, so bacteria are secured from the defense mechanisms as well as of antibiotics used to fight disease. These thrombus can grow further when get to the heart valve that will continue in the direction of endocarditis, or can block veins that supply blood flow to the brain and the heart.

The conclusions were provided by Dr. Sue Lewis, a scientific speaker in oral and maxillofacial surgery treatment, the UCL Eastman Oral Institution, London. She stated that a better understanding of the relationship between bacteria and platelets can lead us to discover new treatments for the condition infective endocarditis. In this development, an essential step we have to consider is when bacteria attach to the heart valve and triggers platelets to form thrombus. The scientists are now trying to discover mechanism behind this procedure in the hope they can create new drugs that can prevent the development of thrombus.

Currently, infective endocarditis handled through a procedure of cardiovascular surgery treatment or the use of highly effective medications. However, the use of medications are progressively difficult with the development of anti-biotic level of resistance. Roughly 30% of sufferers with this condition die and most of these sufferers require surgery treatment to substitute their heart valves that have been contaminated, with a synthetic heart valve made of  metal or animal source.

Dr. Bob Kerrigan from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, said that his group has determined an essential component of S. Gordonii fibrinogen-like qualities, so now they are getting nearer to finding the design of new substances that can restrict the development of thrombus. Not only that, the group is also trying to discover the likelihood of other bacteria  associated with S. Gordonii which has similar abilities.

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