Intra-familial distribution of Fusobacterium nucleatum strains in healthy families with optimal plaque control.
Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic rod associated with periodontal disease, is also found in healthy individuals and is considered part of the indigenous oral microflora. Although intra-familial transmission of periodontal pathogens has been documented, there are no data relating transmission of F. nucleatum. This study investigated the distribution of F. nucleatum strains in 4 strictly healthy families. 32 F. nucleatum strains were isolated from 19 individuals (8 parents and 11 children aged 1-13 years). DNA was extracted and digested with the restriction endonucleases EcoRI, TaqI and HindIII. The digests were separated by electrophoresis through 0.8% agarose gels at 40 V overnight, in TBE buffer containing 1 microg/ml ethidium bromide, and photographed. The DNA was transferred to nylon filters by Southern blotting and hybridized with a digoxigenin labelled E. coli rRNA probe (Kit Dig DNA Labelling mixture - Boehringer). Probed DNA was visualized colorimetrically (CSPD Luminescent Detection Kit Boehringer) and photographed (Amersham). We found that 10/11 children shared identical ribotypes with at least one of their respective parents. Some of the children also harbored a unique additional ribotype. On the basis of indistinguishable restriction endonuclease and ribotype patterns these results support the hypothesis that intra-familial transmission of F. nucleatum is possible.
Suchett-Kaye
G
G
Laboratoire d'Etude des Interfaces en Odontologie, UFR d'Odontologie, Lyon, France.
Décoret
D
D
Barsotti
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting / Q000379:methods; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis
D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal