Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
Potential respiratory pathogens colonisation of the denture plaque of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
Dorota Przybyłowska1, Elżbieta Mierzwińska-Nastalska1, Ewa Swoboda-Kopeć2
1Department of Prosthodontics, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland.
Introduction:
The role of bacterial infections in acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is widely examined. Denture plaque in patients with COPD is an example of bacterial and fungal biofilm, which is a reservoir of potentially pathogenic respiratory tract microorganisms. Poor denture hygiene might cause acute exacerbations of COPD.
Objective:
Assessment of prevalence of respiratory tract pathogens in denture plaque in stable patients with COPD and it influence on oral ontocenoses depending upon the therapy.
Materials And Methods:
The study was based on the clinical assessment of oral mucosa and denture hygiene in 53 patients with COPD with mean age of 70 ± 18 years and 14 generally healthy participants with mean age of 65 ± 14 years. Microbiological and mycological tests were performed by culturing direct denture swabs.
Results:
The study showcased the presence of potential pathogenic micro-organisms in denture plaque of 48 patients with COPD (90%) and nine healthy subjects (64.3%). Yeast-like fungi prevailed in denture surface swabs of 40 (75%) in patients with COPD and 8 (57%) in cases of control group. In 66% of patients, various degree of oral mucosa inflammation prevailed.
Conclusions:
Denture plaque could be a potential source of bacterial and fungal infections in patients with COPD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
The Oral Microbiota
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

