Periodontitis is associated with a loss of colonization by Streptococcus sanguinis.
The aim of this study was to estimate differences in the prevalence of oral streptococcal species in the subgingival biofilm of patients with aggressive periodontitis and of healthy controls. Thirty-three patients with clinical and radiological proof of aggressive periodontitis and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Clinical indices were recorded in a six-point measurement per tooth. Samples of the subgingival biofilm were taken with paper points from four teeth of each individual. Alpha- and non-haemolytic, small and catalase-negative colonies were biochemically identified using a rapid ID 32 STREP system and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 118 strains of oral streptococci (11 species) were identified and Streptococcus sanguinis was found significantly more often in healthy subjects (P=0.001). Conversely, the absence of S. sanguinis was associated with high values of clinical indices (P=0.001-0.002). Aggressive periodontitis seems to be associated with a loss of colonization of S. sanguinis. Whether or not S. sanguinis offers protection against aggressive periodontitis needs to be determined. Otherwise, there were no significant differences in the distribution of oral streptococcal species in patients and healthy subjects.
Stingu
Catalina-Suzana
CS
Institute for Medical Microbiology and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 24, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.|Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.|Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Nürnberger Straße 57, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Eschrich
Klaus
K
Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Johannisallee 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Rodloff
Arne C
AC
Institute for Medical Microbiology and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 24, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Schaumann
Reiner
R
Institute for Medical Microbiology and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, University of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 24, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Jentsch
Holger
H
Department of Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Nürnberger Straße 57, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification