A study published in the Journal of Dentistry revealed that the same bacteria that caused oral infections might contribute to developing potential catastrophic brain abscesses among patients. Although this kind of abscess is rare, it can have severe consequences in terms of mortality and morbidity.

Researchers used microbiological information from abscess sampling and peripheral cultures in addition to records from 87 patients who had been brought to the hospital with brain abscesses. They evaluated whether the oral bacteria were present in patients′ brain abscesses where a cause of the abscess was identified (in 35 individuals) or where a cause has not been screened.

The study results showed that the oral bacteria were nearly three times more likely to be present in the samples from the 52 patients in whom no cause of brain abscesses had been identified. Streptococcus anginosus, a bacterium that can cause pharyngitis, bacteria and infections in internal organs such as the brain, lungs, and liver, was also found in much higher concentrations in those patients. In dental abscesses, this bacterium is frequently found.

The results imply that in cases of brain abscess where no obvious cause was found, the oral cavity may be thought of as a source of infection. During gum disease, an altered balance of oral bacteria (microbiome) can cause high blood pressure and strokes. Additional clinical trials are currently investigating the links between gum health and Alzheimer′s disease and identifying patients under high cardiovascular risk in primary care dental clinics.

(Source: https://theprint.in/health/researchers-find-association-between-oral-bacteria-brain-abscesses/1296017/)