title: The highly leukotoxic JP2 clone of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in localized and generalized forms of aggressive periodontitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans, including the highly virulent JP2 clone, in young adult patients with aggressive periodontitis, and associate the findings with the two forms of the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy Moroccan subjects with aggressive periodontitis, aged less than 35 years, were recruited. Among these, 41 had LAgP and 29 had GAgP. Plaque samples were collected from periodontal pockets and examined using a PCR that detects the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and which differentiates between JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes of the bacterium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  total of 58 (83%) from the 70 AgP patients were positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans, among whom 77% were positives for the JP2 clone. The JP2 clone was detected in 34 (83%) of the LAgP patients compared to 20 (69%) of the GAgP patients (p = 0.17). Fourteen (20%) of the patients harbored non-JP2 genotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans, although most of these patients (10/14) also harbored the JP2 clone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of the JP2 clone of A. actinomycetemcomitans is strongly associated with both LAgP and GAgP in young adults in Morocco. This implies that treatment of AgP in this population should include microbiological screening and aim at eradication of the bacterium when present.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Dental School, Mohammed V Souissi University, Rabat, Morocco. o.ennibi@um5.net.ma
authors.forename: Oum Keltoum
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Ennibi
authors.forename: Latifa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benrachadi
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouziane
authors.forename: Dorte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haubek
authors.forename: Knud
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Poulsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014774:Virulence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D005098:Exotoxins; C018579:leukotoxin