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03 Dental Tribune Asia Pacific Edition | 1+2/2017 ASIA PACIFIC NEWS By DTI KYOTO, Japan: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) have attracted attention as an important predictive marker of stroke in several studies. Research further suggests that cnm-positive Streptococcus mutans, a type of oral bacteria associated with den- tal caries, is involved in the devel- opment of CMBs. Seeking to clarify the connec- tion, a team of Japanese research- ers has now found evidence that cnm-positive S. mutans is a novel factor of cognitive impairment as- sociated with CMBs and therefore may be linked to disorders such as stroke and dementia. Aiming to understand the clinical significance of CMBs and the mechanisms of their produc- tion, researchers from Kyoto Pre- fectural University of Medicine examined 279 patients (average age of 70) for the presence or absence of the collagen-binding surface Cnm protein expressed on cnm-positive S. mutans in the saliva. In addition, cognitive func- tion, dental health status and the prevalence of CMB were assessed. Oral examination included the number of remaining teeth, pres- ence or absence of dental caries, and periodontal status of the par- ticipants. In the study group, 94 per cent tested positive for S. mutans and 33 per cent for cnm-positive S. mutans, and 25 per cent showed collagen-binding activity asso- ciated with S. mutans. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain detected CMBs in 73 participants (26 per cent). As for the dental ex- amination, 31 per cent of the par- ticipants had dental caries and 28 per cent scored a Code 3 or higher on the Community Perio- dontal Index of Treatment Needs. The mean number of remaining teeth was 22.7 ± 7.5. The analyses showed that cnm-positive S. mutans was de- tected more often among partici- pants with CMBs than those with- out. Furthermore, the percentage of dental caries patients was sig- nificantly higher in the collagen- binding activity group, the study found. According to the researchers, the findings suggest a molecular mechanism for the interaction between chronic oral infections and geriatric disorders, such as stroke and cognitive impairment. In order to clarify the causality, an intervention study focused on oral care and the microbiota in CMB subjects would be of interest, they emphasised. As the current data supports the important in- fluence of the oral microbiota on neurological disease, they further called for improved collaboration between dental and medical re- searchers. The study, titled “Oral cnm- positive Streptococcus mutans ex- pressing collagen binding activity is a risk factor for cerebral micro- bleeds and cognitive impairment”, was published online on in the Scientific Reports journal. Oral bacteria, cerebral microbleeds and stroke linked NOW AS A FLOW! Tetric ® N-Ceram Bulk Fill The efficient posterior composite P ATENTED L IGHT INITI A T O R Ivocerin ® Tetric® N-Flow Bulk Fill flowable Tetric® N-Ceram Bulk Fill sculptable * Compared with Tetric ® N-Flow and Tetric ® N-Ceram Data available on request. www.ivoclarvivadent.com Ivoclar Vivadent AG Bendererstr. 2 | 9494 Schaan | Liechtenstein | Tel.: +423 235 35 35 | Fax: +423 235 33 60 on time* and achieve amazing results 55% Save AD CMBs have attracted attention as an important predictive marker of stroke. © Tefi /Shutterstock.com Bendererstr. 2 | 9494 Schaan | Liechtenstein | Tel.: +4232353535 | Fax: +4232353360