Antibodies against Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans are Associated with Von Willebrand Factor

Methods: Untreated systemically healthy patients with moderate (n=39) and severe periodontitis (n=32) were recruited. Levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and D-dimer were measured as markers of a prothrombotic state. Serum levels of antibodies against P.g. and A.a. were also measured and correlated to the four markers of a prothrombotic state by means of linear regression analysis after adjustment for several potential confounders. The study was approved by the Medical Ethical Committee of the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam.

Results: A statistically significant difference was found in mean levels of PAI-1 between the severe and the moderate periodontitis group (p=0.013), but not for the other three markers of a prothrombotic state. Linear regression analysis showed a positive correlation of antibodies against A.a. with vWf (ß=0.245, p= 0.031) after adjustment for several potential confounders. No correlation was found between antibodies against P.g. and vWf. No further correlation was found between antibodies against A.a. and P.g. and the other markers of a prothrombotic state.

Conclusion: Plasma levels of PAI-1 seems to be influenced by the severity of periodontitis, but not by the level of infection with A.a. or P.g. On the other hand, level of infection with A.a. seems to correlate with systemic levels of vWf. Inflammation at one side and infection at the other side may explain the influence of periodontitis on a prothrombotic state.