Platelet plug formation in whole blood is enhanced in the presence ofPorphyromonas gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalisis a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium and an etiologic agent of adult periodontitis. By inducing a dysbiotic state within the host microbiota it contributes to a chronic inflammatory environment in the oral cavity. Under some circumstances, the oral bacteria may gain access to systemic circulation. While the most widely recognized function of platelets is to reduce hemorrhage in case of vascular damage, it is known that platelets are also involved in the hematologic responses to bacterial infections. Some pathogenic bacteria can interact with platelets, triggering their activation and aggregation. The aim of this study was to assess platelet responses to the presence ofP. gingivalisin whole blood. Human whole blood was pretreated withP. gingivalisand then platelet plug formation was measured under high shear conditions using the PFA-100. In the presence ofP. gingivalis, time for a platelet plug to occlude the aperture in the collagen/ADP cartridge was shortened in a manner dependent on bacterial concentration and the duration of bacterial preincubation of blood.P. gingivalisenhances thrombus forming potential of platelets in whole blood.