Comparison of polymerase chain reaction and culture methods for detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in subgingival plaque samples.
In this study, the major periodontal pathogens Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were detected in subgingival plaque samples from patients with periodontal disease by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conventional culture methods. 170 plaque samples from 43 patients were analysed; A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis were each detected in 40 (24%) of samples by PCR, whereas conventional culture methods detected A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis in 25 (15%) and 18 (11%) of samples, respectively. The proportion of patients carrying A. actinomycetemcomitans in at least 1 sampled periodontal site was 17/43 (40%) by PCR and 13/43 (30%) by culture; for P. gingivalis this was 12/43 (28%) by PCR and 9/43 (21%) by culture. Only 5 samples, from 3 patients, harboured both A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis. It is concluded that PCR is more accurate than conventional culture methods for identification of these periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque samples and has a higher frequency of detection.
Infection and Immunity Research-Group, Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, Scotland, UK.
M P
MP
Riggio
T W
TW
Macfarlane
D
D
Mackenzie
A
A
Lennon
A J
AJ
Smith
D
D
Kinane
D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial