Bacteria in the mouth and gut could ‘raise risk of sudden death’ – the 8 other risk factors to know

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A COMMON bacteria found in the mouth and gut could raise the risk of a deadly health emergency, scientists say.

Higher levels of the bacteria Streptococcus anginosus was found in the gut of recent stroke survivors in Japan.

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This suggested that the common germ could up people’s odds of suffering a stroke, researchers said.

A stroke is a major health event caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain – often due to a blood clot or broken blood vessel.

Around 100,000 people in the UK suffer strokes every year.

It’s known that having conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes and atrial fibrillation can all up your risk of the health emergency.

But Japanese scientists have now linked germs in the mouth and gut to strokes – saying their discovery could pave the way for detecting people at risk of the condition earlier.

According to the study, stroke patients with significant amounts of Streptococcus anginosus in their gut were more likely to die or have another major cardiovascular event within two years, compared to stroke patients without the bacteria in their gut.

Researchers said their findings suggest that analysing mouth and gut bacteria may someday help determine stroke risk.

Targeting these harmful bacteria with new therapies and proper dental hygiene might also help prevent a potentially fatal stroke, they suggested.

Study lead author Dr Shuichi Tonomura said: “In the future, if there was a quick test to detect harmful bacteria in the mouth and gut, we could use the information to help calculate stroke risk.

“Targeting these specific harmful oral bacteria may help prevent stroke.”

Dr Tonomura explained that everyone has trillions of bacteria in their gut, collectively known as the gut microbiota.

There is also another community of bacteria in the mouth called oral microbiota.

Most of these bacteria positively affect the body and assist with normal body processes, such as digestion.

But Dr Tonomura says when the helpful and unhelpful types of bacteria get out of balance, it can lead to illness.

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Previously, the Japanese research team found that a different bacteria causing tooth decay, Streptococcus mutans, was associated with a higher risk of bleeding inside the brain.

For the new study, conducted at the largest stroke centre in Japan, the researchers tallied up all the detectable bacteria in the saliva and guts of people who had recently had any type of stroke, comparing them to people of a similar age undergoing routine medical check-ups.

The team found that one species of bacteria, Streptococcus anginosus, was “significantly more abundant” in the saliva and gut of people with acute stroke than in the control group of people who had not had a stroke.

An analysis of various groups of bacteria found that Streptococcus anginosus in the gut was associated with 20 per cent higher odds of stroke after accounting for vascular risk factors – such as high blood pressure.

Anaerostipes hadrus, a gut bacteria associated with beneficial effects, was associated with an 18 per cent lower risk of stroke and Bacteroides plebeius, a gut bacteria common in the Japanese population, was associated with a 14 per cent drop in risk.

Stroke survivors with Streptococcus anginosus in the gut also had a “significantly” higher risk of death and major cardiovascular events over the two-year follow-up period.

But increased risk of death and poor outcomes was not noted in stroke survivors with Anaerostipes hadrus and Bacteroides plebeius.

Dr Tonomura 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.

“Both Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus anginosus are bacteria that contribute to tooth decay by producing acids that break down tooth enamel.

“This highlights the importance of preventing tooth decay, which can be achieved by reducing sugar intake and using toothpaste that targets these bacteria. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential.”

The findings are due to be presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Conference in Los Angeles next week.

The researchers hope to conduct similar studies in people who have not experienced a stroke, but have stroke risk factors.

Dr Tonomura, staff physician in the department of neurology at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, added: “Extending the analysis to populations at risk of stroke is crucial for understanding broader implications and developing potential preventive strategies for those susceptible to stroke.

“The oral and gut microbiome is strongly affected by lifestyle.

“Other bacteria may be main players in stroke in other countries.”