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Background and Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is known as common pathogen for endodontic infections and cause secondary and refractory pulp periapical periodontitis. The bacteria can opportunistically colonize periodontal pockets and presents a possibility of infection developing in other organs. This research will investigate the dissemination of E. faecalis from the gingival tissue to the heart and kidney. Materials and Methods: Three groups were formed, consisting of twelve male Sprague Dawley rats: a control group designated as 0-day, and experimental groups labeled as 7-days and 14-days. Periodontitis induced by concurrent infection with sterile wire 0.2 mm insertion and E. faecalis inoculation is performed into the gingival sulcus located between the maxillary right 1st and 2nd molar teeth area. After euthanasia, tissue samples around the maxillary gingiva, maxillary jaw samples, kidney and heart tissues were obtained for quantitative Real-Time PCR assay and histopathological analysis. Results: Results showed at 7-days, there was an upregulation of E. faecalis gene expression in the gingiva, heart, and kidney samples as well as infiltration of the inflammatory cells at 7-days post induction, which consequently decreased at 14-days. Conclusion: Thus, the study suggests dissemination of E. faecalis from gingival tissue to the heart, kidney which could be probable link between periodontal disease, heart, and kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that is linked to several systematic diseases. The precise roles and mechanistic aspects of the link between periodontitis and systemic diseases are still up for discussion because of the diversity of the responses and the variability of the evidence. This study aims to assess the inflammatory condition by analyzing the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) expression and histologically examining periodontium, gingival, heart, and kidney tissues after experimental periodontitis induction. Twelve rats were divided into 3 different groups: the control group (0-day), and the experimental groups (7-days and 14-days). A sterile 0.2 mm wire was placed into the interdental area of the right maxillary 1st and 2nd molar teeth, and 0.5μl of Enterococcus faecalis suspension containing 1.5x108 CFU/ml of bacteria were administered into the gingival sulcus of rats in the 7- and 14-days groups. The rats were euthanized after the induction period, respectively. Samples from maxillary jaw, gingiva, heart, and kidney tissue were collected for RT-qPCR assay and histological analysis. The results show that IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression is upregulated in gingival, heart, and kidney tissue samples at 7 and 14 days when compared to the control group. Furthermore, inflammatory cell infiltration in the periodontium, heart and kidney tissue samples has also been observed. The study suggests an inflammatory response within the periodontal tissue, heart, and kidney following experimental periodontitis induction. As a result, periodontitis may cause inflammation in distant organs like the heart and kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]