title: Isolation and characterization of non-pigmented rough colony of Porphyromonas gingivalis from periodontitis.
abstract: During isolation of Porphyromonas gingivalis from periodontal pockets of patients, the appearance of an unusual rough colony form, designated NUM 114, was observed. The NUM 114 strain grew in aggregated cell form in a liquid culture and formed a light-beige rough colony on blood agar medium. The identifications and DNA studies confirmed that the NUM 114 strain was P. gingivalis. The enzymatic activities and fatty acid end products were in lower levels than found in P. gingivalis 381, a representative strain. The NUM 114 strain had enhanced hydrophobicity, hemagglutination of human erythrocytes and adherence to human buccal epithelial cells. The NUM 114 cells were phagocytized at a two-fold higher rate compared with the 381 strain. NUM 114 cells were also more susceptible to killing by phagocytosis than the 381 cells. The carbohydrates of the outer membrane and crude lipopolysaccharide preparation from the NUM 114 strain were in larger amounts than those of 381 strain. LPS from NUM 114 were observed to be smooth-type.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takada
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hirasawa