Infectogenomics: lack of association between VDR, IL6, IL10 polymorphisms and “red complex” bacterial load in a group of Italian adults with chronic periodontal disease

Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease that, if untreated, may cause teeth loss. Clinicians and researchers have reported that genetic factors influence the clinical manifestations of periodontal disease (PD), modulating both inflammation of the mucous membranes and loss of alveolar bone. The acquisition of new nowledge about genetic susceptibility of PD, would directly impact on prognosis and treatment of the disease. In addition, a better understanding of PD pathogenesis could improve the diagnostic tools for the prevention and therapies for modulation of immune responses and treatment of PD. In this study, we evaluated genetic polymorphisms of VRD, IL6 and IL10 and amounts of periodontal pathogens in Italian adults affected by PD. We included 326 cases classified according the criteria of the American Academy of Periodontology. No significant differences in bacterial load were found in patients carrying PD susceptibility alleles of IL6, IL10 and VDR genes. In conclusion, no interaction between genetic factors and amount of periodontal pathogens in periodontal pockets were found in PD patients.