LAUSR

BACKGROUND The present systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the strength of a reported association between elevated serum anti-periodontal bacterial antibody responses and an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). REVIEW Twenty original studies were identified after systematically searching five databases. The majority (n=11) compared serum anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and/or anti-Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) IgG antibody responses between CHD patients and control participants. The strength of the association between serum anti-Pg antibodies and CHD (n=10) and serum anti-Aa antibodies and CHD (n=6) was investigated using a meta-analysis approach separately. RESULTS Most studies (61%) reported that the serum IgG antibody responses were elevated in CHD patients than in controls. The meta-analyses showed a significant association between elevated serum IgG antibody responses (anti-Pg and anti-Aa) and CHD risk, with pooled odds ratios of 1.23 (95% CI: 1.09-1.38, p=0.001) and 1.25 (95% CI: 1.04-1.47, p=0.0004), respectively. CONCLUSION A modest increase of CHD risk in individuals with higher serum anti-Pg and anti-Aa IgG antibody responses may support their use as potential biomarkers to detect and monitor at-risk populations. However, observed inconsistencies with the design and interpretation of immunoassays warrants standardisation of the immunoassays assessing antibody responses against periodontal bacteria.