title: A follow-up case report of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in human periodontal disease.
abstract: The purpose of this investigation was to compare clinical and microbial parameters in a follow-up case report of adult subjects harboring Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) with clinically matched subjects who did not have detectable Aa. 16 subjects with Aa and 16 subjects without Aa at the baseline examination were re-examined at an average of 46 months following collection of baseline data. Clinical measurements were recorded and subgingival plaque sampled and evaluated for microbial flora from each maxillary first molar. In 16 subjects with Aa at baseline, 4 sites in 3 subjects had detectable actinobacilli at the follow-up appointment. 26 sites in 13 individuals with Aa at baseline had a significantly increased gingival index at the follow-up visit (p less than or equal to 0.05), but there was no significant increase in probing depth or attachment loss. 32 sites in the 16 subjects without Aa at baseline still did not have detectable levels of this microorganism at the follow-up examination nor was there any significant difference between baseline and the follow-up appointment for the gingival index, probing depth and attachment level measurements. In subjects with Aa at baseline, 1 of 12 teeth without Aa and 5 of 20 teeth with Aa had been extracted prior to the follow-up visit. In this population group, having sites where Aa was detected, 6 of 9 teeth which had a probing depth greater than or equal to 5 mm were lost before the follow-up data collection appointment. In the control group, which did not have detectable Aa at baseline, 9 teeth with probing depths greater than or equal to 5 mm were not lost. These observations, although not proving, suggest in this population group, that deeper probing depths taken together with the presence of Aa may have placed an individual at greater risk of tooth loss.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center for Periodontal Diseases, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Skaar
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Wolff
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Aeppli
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Bloomquist
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Liljemark
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000382:microbiology