Comparison of restriction enzyme analysis and amplified fragment length polymorphism typing of Porphyromonas gingivalis isolated from spouses.
BACKGROUND
In the past, theories on the transmission of Porphyromonas gingivalis between individuals have been based on, among other techniques, restriction enzyme analysis (REA) of bacterial DNA. Currently, amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) may be a more sophisticated alternative. The possibility of automatic pattern analysis and digital storage of the typing data enables the comparison of patterns from a large number of strains in a broad time frame. The aim of this study was to compare REA profiles with AFLP patterns of P. gingivalis strains isolated from periodontitis patients and their spouses.


METHODS
Forty-two P. gingivalis strains were isolated from different sites in the mouth from six adult patients with periodontitis and their spouses. DNA of the bacterial isolates was subjected to REA and AFLP analysis.


RESULTS
One single type of P. gingivalis was found in each individual with both methods, regardless of the site of isolation. Indistinguishable types were found in four of the six couples with both techniques. Different types were found in two couples with both the REA and the AFLP method.


CONCLUSIONS
The AFLP typing technique confirms earlier observations on the transmission of P. gingivalis between spouses. This new technique can replace REA typing.
Rijnsburger
M C
MC
Department of Oral Microbiology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Delwel
S
S
Boutaga
K
K
van Steenbergen
T J M
TJ
Savelkoul
P H M
PH
van Winkelhoff
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D002999:Clone Cells; D015342:DNA Probes; D015245:Deoxyribonuclease BamHI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D019075:Electrophoresis, Capillary; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D000091402:Prohibitins; D015183:Restriction Mapping; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D018454:Spouses; D014059:Tongue / Q000382:microbiology
D015342:DNA Probes; C000717331:PHB2 protein, human; D000091402:Prohibitins; D015245:Deoxyribonuclease BamHI; C055927:endodeoxyribonuclease MseI; C024388:CTGCAG-specific type II deoxyribonucleases; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific