title: Nucleic acid probes in periodontal diagnosis.
abstract: Periodontal Disease is considered as an infection caused by a variety of microorganisms. Considering the vast range of microbial species involved in the causation of periodontal diseases, a specific diagnostic procedure, to identify the various organisms involved is a major necessity. A number of diagnostic procedures, including microbiological and immunological have been utilized in the diagnosis of periodontal disease. The DNA probe technology provides both a sensitive and specific assay and also alleviates concern for transport of the fastidious microorganisms in clinical samples, fulfills the need for a specific and rapid test, that does not require the preservation of viable microorganisms. DNA probes are now being used to identify the various putative pathogen's including; A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, B. forsythus, etc. Besides DNA probes have also been proven an advantage over the various other available procedures in periodontal diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, College of Dental Surgery, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Mahesh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nayak
mesh_terms: D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D001439:Bacteroides / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D018713:Prevotella intermedia / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial