title: Intraoral persistence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in periodontally healthy subjects following treatment of diseased family members.
abstract: A. actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) can be transmitted among family members. The purpose of the present study was, to evaluate, whether A. actinomycetemcomitans is able to persist for a prolonged period of time in periodontally healthy subjects following elimination of this pathogen from diseased family members. In 14 periodontitis patients harboring Aa as well as in their 37 family members, the clinical (PPD, PAL, P1I, GI) and microbiological status (TSBV) was evaluated. After study patients received mechanical, surgical and antibiotic (3x375 mg amoxicillin+3x250 mg metronidazole/7 d) treatment, they, as well as their family members, were reassessed 3, 6, 9 and 12 months following therapy. From 13 spouses, 4 (31%) had periodontitis associated with Aa, 4 (31%) had periodontitis and no Aa, 2 (15%) were periodontally healthy and harbored Aa, 3 (23%) were healthy with no detection of Aa. From 24 off-springs, one (4%) had periodontitis associated with Aa, 8 (33%) were healthy and harbored Aa, 15 (63%) were healthy with no detection of Aa. In the 2 spouses and in 7 of the 8 offsprings being healthy, but harboring Aa, this pathogen still persisted at the 12-month appointment, after it had been eliminated from the diseased family members. Only one child became negative for Aa after 12 months. The results of this study indicate that A. actinomycetemcomitans is able to persist in the oral habitats of periodontally-healthy subjects for at least 12 months, after this pathogen had been eliminated from diseased family members. This might suggest that also in healthy family members, A. actinomycetemcomitans as a source of transmission should be eliminated to prevent reinfection.
authors.affiliation: Section of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA. kleinfelder.3@osk.edu
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kleinfelder
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Lange
mesh_terms: D000189:Actinobacillus Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002353:Carrier State; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012008:Recurrence