title: Immunoglobulin G profiles in different forms of periodontitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Races and Gm(23) allotypes can modify the serum levels of IgG subclasses. The average serum levels of IgG subclasses of African-Americans have been reported to be higher than those of Caucasians in both healthy young adults and patients with aggressive periodontitis; Gm(23)-positive subjects generally had higher IgG2 levels than Gm(23)-negative subjects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations in Taiwanese patients with different forms of periodontitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The serum levels of four IgG subclasses were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Gm(23) allotypes were verified by radial immunodiffusion tests in 50 patients with chronic periodontitis, 30 patients with aggressive periodontitis, and 74 healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in the concentrations of four IgG subclasses in patients with chronic periodontitis compared with age-matched controls. However, in subjects younger than 35 years, levels of IgG2 were significantly elevated in patients with aggressive periodontitis compared with controls. We also found significant differences in IgG2 levels within the control group when stratified by age (< or = 35 years and > 35 years). Gm(23) allotypes were not correlated with the serum levels of IgG2 in either patient group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microbial challenge might not provoke significant changes in systemic IgG response in patients with chronic periodontitis. However, in patients with aggressive periodontitis, IgG2 levels were increased when compared with age-matched controls. Gm(23) allotypes had no influence on IgG2 levels in well-established generalized chronic periodontitis or aggressive periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, China Medical College Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsien-Yang
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hsi-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Woan-Ling
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chun-Tai
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Yi-Hsin
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chi-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D044466:Asian People; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D007129:Immunoglobulin Gm Allotypes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007129:Immunoglobulin Gm Allotypes