Periodontal disease is associated with increased gut colonization of pathogenic Haemophilus parainfluenzae in patients with Crohn's disease

Cell Rep. 2023 Feb 28;42(2):112120. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112120. Epub 2023 Feb 13.

Abstract

Intestinal colonization of the oral bacterium Haemophilus parainfluenzae has been associated with Crohn's disease (CD) severity and progression. This study examines the role of periodontal disease (PD) as a modifier for colonization of H. parainfluenzae in patients with CD and explores the mechanisms behind H. parainfluenzae-mediated intestinal inflammation. Fifty subjects with and without CD were evaluated for the presence of PD, and their oral and fecal microbiomes were characterized. PD is associated with increased levels of H. parainfluenzae strains in subjects with CD. Oral inoculation of H. parainfluenzae elicits strain-dependent intestinal inflammation in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease, which is associated with increased intestinal interferon-γ (IFN-γ)+ CD4+ T cells and disruption of the host hypusination pathway. In summary, this study establishes a strain-specific pathogenic role of H. parainfluenzae in intestinal inflammation and highlights the potential effect of PD on intestinal colonization by pathogenic H. parainfluenzae strains in patients with CD.

Keywords: CP: Microbiology; Crohn’s disease; Haemophilus parainfluenzae; inflammatory bowel disease; microbiome; oral-systemic health; periodontal disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Crohn Disease* / complications
  • Crohn Disease* / metabolism
  • Haemophilus parainfluenzae
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Mice
  • Periodontal Diseases*