The relationship between gingivitis and colonization by Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in children.
BACKGROUND
Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans are closely associated with the onset and severity of adult periodontal disease. However, little is known regarding the colonization by, and host antibody response to, these microorganisms in children.


METHODS
Plaque and sera were obtained from 40 healthy children, 2 to 18 years old. Gingival health was assessed by the periodontal disease index (PDI), papillary bleeding score (BS) and the modified total papillary margin attachment index (M-PMA). P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans in plaque samples were detected by slot immunoblotting (SIB). Serum antibody levels against these microorganisms were evaluated using ELISA.


RESULTS
More than 60% of the children had detectable levels of P. gingivalis in their plaque. Those having detectable levels had more gingival inflammation than those having none; however, these differences were significant only in children over the age of 12 years (PDI, BS). In contrast, while 75% of the children had detectable A. actinomycetemcomitans, there were significant differences in gingival inflammation associated with colonization in children from 3 to 7 years of age (PDI) and over 12 years of age (M-PMA). Serum antibody levels to P. gingivalis were inversely correlated with gingival inflammation in all age groups, while A. actinomycetemcomitans titers were positively correlated with gingival inflammation only in the children over 12 years. No significant relationship between the presence of either A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis and antibodies to them was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans are readily detected as early as 3 years of age and that their presence is associated with the onset and severity of gingivitis.
Morinushi
T
T
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kagoshima University Dental School, Japan.
Lopatin
D E
DE
Van Poperin
N
N
Ueda
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005884:Gingival Hemorrhage / Q000145:classification; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial