Periodontal disease: bacterial virulence factors, host response and impacton systemic health

Teeth are coated with a biofilm that contains periodontal pathogens. Pathog ens express virulence factors which enable them to invade and replicate wit hin epithelial cells and to invade the underlying connective tissue, This s timulates production of prostaglandins and cytokines that induce tissue los s. In addition, these bacteria have the potential to modulate the course of systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis and to contribute to low birthwe ight and preterm labor. Curr Opin Infect Dis 13:227-232. (C) 2000 Lippincot t Williams & Wilkins.