title: Comparison of restriction enzyme analysis and amplified fragment length polymorphism typing of Porphyromonas gingivalis isolated from spouses.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Microbiology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rijnsburger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delwel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boutaga
authors.forename: T J M
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: van Steenbergen
authors.forename: P H M
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Savelkoul
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Winkelhoff
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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