[Biological and biochemical characteristics of the oral spirochetes isolated from the focus of marginal periodontitis].
Since they are found to be increased in lesions of acute necrotic ulcerative gingivitis or marginal periodontitis, agents for these diseases. In the present study, 38 pure cultured strains were obtained as a result of isolation and culture of samples collected from lesions of marginal periodontitis (periodontal pokets), and the biological and biochemical characteristics of these strains were investigated. 1) Light microscopy (including dark-field microscopy) and transmission electron microscopy (negative staining) were used for observation of the morphology and cellular structure of the strains. The cells had a spiral shape, and showed active movement. Based on the above findings the cultured strains were all confirmed to be spirochetes of small to medium size, being 0.08-0.24 micron in width. 2) Growth and motility of the strains were investigated on various types of culture medium. Intense growth and movement were noted in strains cultured in bovine liver exudate medium containing horse serum (pH 7.2) at 37 degrees C under anaerobic conditions produced by the evacuation-replacement method (95% N2, 5% CO2) for 3-7 days after inoculation. 3) Thirty-five strains were positive for indole production and decomposition of urea, mucin, hippuric acid and esculin. Production of hydrogen sulfied was observed in 31 strains. In decomposition tests for 17 carbohydrates, 17 strains were positive for galactose and 14 strains were positive for glucose, while 11 strains were positive for dextrin and 10 strains for fructose upon decomposition of soluble starch. Other carbohydrates were also decomposed by a few strains. 4) In an investigation of the production of alcohol and lower fatty acids, among the metabolic products detected by gas chromatography, a large amount of acetic acid and small amounts of ethanol, lactic acid, propionic acid, pyruvic acid were observed. 5) The results of enzyme activity tests using an API ZYM system indicated relatively high activities of esterase, esterase-lipase, alpha-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and acid phosphatase.
Kikuchi
K
K
Saito
K
K
Suzuki
M
M
Watanabe
T
T
D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D013144:Spirochaetales / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism