The presence of biofilm structures in atherosclerotic plaques of arteries from legs amputated as a complication of diabetic foot ulcers

Abstract

RAW and RDW have equity interest in PathoGenius, a clinical laboratory using DNA to identify microbes.

Bacterial Biofilm and its Role in the Pathogenesis of Disease

“…However, it is not known whether the bacteria are involved in initiation of plaque formation or colonize the plaques after they are formed. Recently, bacterial biofilms in atherosclerotic arteries have been identified by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) [54,55]. This may indicate biofilms to be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and it is hypothesized that the presence of biofilm may contribute to enhanced risk of plaque rupture [55].…”

Periodontal Disease: A Risk Factor for Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

“…Of note, other reports have demonstrated that periodontal pathogens are also able to invade arterial walls and colonize atherosclerotic plaques [115,116,117,118]. In particular, recent data demonstrated that Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the major pathogens involved in periodontal disease, induced platelets aggregation and the expression of several cell adhesion molecules, such as the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), the vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and p-selectin.…”

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Microcolonies in Coronary Thrombi from Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction

“…While there are several reports on isolation of bacterial DNA from atherosclerotic tissue only a few recent studies have detected bacterial biofilms within atherosclerotic lesions [6, 13, 15]. In biofilm infections, microcolonies of bacteria become encased in a protective extracellular matrix consisting mainly of polysaccharides, proteins and DNA [16, 17].…”