Fibrinogen was associated with subgingival microbiome in periodontal diseases: a pilot study

Periodontal diseases are associated with complex interactions among inflammatory responses, microbial dysbiosis, and clinical periodontal parameters. However, the relationships among inflammatory biomarkers, microbial biomarkers, and clinical parameters in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) remain to be further clarified.

To explore the interactions among inflammatory biomarkers, microbial biomarkers, and clinical parameters in gingival crevicular fluid in periodontal diseases.

In this cross-sectional study, GCF and subgingival plaque were collected from healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis participants. Levels of fibrinogen, fibrin (measured as fibrin degradation products (FDP)), Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, Matrix metallopeptidase (MMP)8, and MMP9 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The subgingival microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Among all biomarkers, fibrinogen was the most sensitive biomarker detected in GCF. Levels of fibrinogen were higher in the gingivitis (p = 0.024) and periodontitis (p = 0.002) groups than in the healthy group. Positive correlations were found between fibrinogen and numerous subgingival microorganisms, such as Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Filifactor alocis. Fibrinogen was the only GCF marker that could differentiate between healthy and gingivitis individuals. Fibrinogen and its combination with specific subgingival microorganisms may be potential markers indicating gingivitis and periodontitis.

Compared with IL-1β, IL-17, MMP8 and MMP9, fibrinogen in GCF demonstrated distinct associations with clinical parameters and subgingival microbiome in periodontal diseases.