title: Longitudinal changes in antibody avidity to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in periodontitis.
abstract: Longitudinal investigations concerning immunological responses and periodontal disease activity support a relationship between serum antibody levels and the micro-organisms associated with dental plaque. To define this host response further, we studied the relationship of antibody avidity to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) in 11 adult periodontitis and 6 localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) patients with Aa infections. Patients were monitored every 3-4 months for immunological and clinical variables including probing pocket depths (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index (PLI), and the number of disease active sites (DA). Avidity indices were determined using an ELISA and significant changes from each patients' baseline level were determined. The results showed different response patterns between and within the patient groups. A subset of the subjects experienced significant changes in antibody avidity over time. Between group comparisons yielded no significant differences in the number of positive or negative avidity index changes, although there were more frequent changes in the disease active adult periodontitis group. There were also no significant correlations between clinical parameters and antibody avidity, although there were changes in the clinical parameters between baseline and significant avidity change points, and also between baseline and the determination of active disease. Further studies will be necessary to define fully the role of antibody avidity and its relationship to the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: O'Dell
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ebersole
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000276:immunology*; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000915:Antibody Affinity; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial