Stroke Risk: Mouth & Gut Bacteria Link
- Osaka, Japan — A common bacterium, Streptococcus anginosus, typically found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, appears more prevalent in the guts of stroke patients and is associated...
- The study, conducted at Japan's largest stroke center, compared the saliva and gut bacteria of recent stroke patients with those of healthy individuals undergoing routine checkups.
- the analysis revealed that Streptococcus anginosus was significantly more abundant in the saliva and gut of individuals who had experienced a recent acute stroke.
Scientists have found a direct link between gut bacteria and stroke risk: Specifically, teh presence of Streptococcus anginosus in the gut is associated with a higher chance of experiencing a stroke.This groundbreaking research, conducted at a leading Japanese stroke center, reveals that this common bacterium, typically found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, is more prevalent in stroke patients, leading to poorer outcomes. Other gut bacteria could potentially reduce stroke risk, offering a promising avenue for prevention. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential, researchers say. News Directory 3 has this story and more. discover what the future holds for stroke prevention strategies.
Gut Bacteria Linked to Stroke Risk and Poor Outcomes
Osaka, Japan — A common bacterium, Streptococcus anginosus, typically found in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, appears more prevalent in the guts of stroke patients and is associated with poorer prognoses and increased mortality, according to preliminary research. The findings were slated for presentation at the American Stroke Association‘s International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles in February.
The study, conducted at Japan’s largest stroke center, compared the saliva and gut bacteria of recent stroke patients with those of healthy individuals undergoing routine checkups. Researchers quantified detectable bacteria in both groups.
the analysis revealed that Streptococcus anginosus was significantly more abundant in the saliva and gut of individuals who had experienced a recent acute stroke.
Further analysis indicated that Streptococcus anginosus in the gut independently correlated with a 20% increase in stroke odds, even after accounting for vascular risk factors. Conversely, Anaerostipes hadrus, a gut bacterium with beneficial effects, was associated with an 18% risk reduction, and Bacteroides plebeius, common in the Japanese population, showed a 14% decrease.
Over a two-year follow-up, stroke survivors with Streptococcus anginosus in their gut faced a significantly elevated risk of death and major cardiovascular events.
Shuichi Tonomura, M.D., the study’s lead author and a staff physician at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, emphasized the potential for future stroke risk assessment. “In the future, if there was a rapid test to detect harmful bacteria in the mouth and gut, we could use the information to help calculate stroke risk,” Tonomura said. “Targeting thes specific harmful oral bacteria may help prevent stroke.”
Louise D. McCullough, M.D., P.H.D., FAHA, chief of neurology at Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center in Houston, who was not involved in the study, noted the link between poor oral health and stroke risk. “The increased levels of Streptococcus anginosus found in the gut of patients with recent stroke is intriguing, and the fact that levels were linked to increased mortality two years after stroke suggests that it may play a role in ongoing stroke risk,” McCullough said.
“Our findings offer new insights into the connection between oral bacteria and the risk of stroke, as well as potential strategies for stroke prevention,” Tonomura said.
tonomura also highlighted the importance of oral hygiene. “Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential,” he said, noting that both Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus anginosus contribute to tooth decay.
What’s next
Researchers plan to expand their studies to include individuals with stroke risk factors but no prior stroke, aiming to develop preventive strategies. However, they caution that the current study’s findings, based on a relatively small Japanese population (189 stroke patients and 55 controls), may not be generalizable to other demographics.