Detection of highly and minimally leukotoxic Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains in patients with periodontal disease.
This study examined the prevalence of highly and minimally leukotoxic Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in patients with periodontal disease. Pooled subgingival plaque samples from 136 patients with some form of periodontal disease were examined. Subjects were between 14 and 76 years of age. Clinical examinations included periodontal pocket depth (PD), plaque index (PI) and bleeding index (BI). The obtained plaque samples were examined for the presence of highly or minimally leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans strains by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Chi-square and logistic regression were performed to evaluate the results. Forty-seven subjects were diagnosed with gingivitis, 70 with chronic periodontitis and 19 with aggressive periodontitis. According to chi-square there was no significant correlation detected between PD (chi2 = 0.73), PI (chi2 = 0.35), BI (chi2 = 0.09) and the presence of the highly leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans. The highly leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans strains were correlated with subjects that were 28 years of age and younger (chi2 = 7.41). There was a significant correlation between highly leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans and aggressive periodontitis (chi2 = 22.06). This study of a Brazilian cohort confirms the strong association between highly leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans strains and the presence of aggressive periodontitis.
University of Taubaté, Brazil.
Sheila Cavalca
SC
Cortelli
Antonio Olavo Cardoso
AO
Jorge
José Roberto
JR
Cortelli
Shawn Francis
SF
Jordan
Violet Ibyola
VI
Haraszthy
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012044:Regression Analysis
D005098:Exotoxins; C018579:leukotoxin