title: Can salivary activity predict periodontal breakdown in A. actinomycetemcomitans infected adolescents?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is highly associated with localised aggressive periodontitis (LAP) many Aa-carriers do not develop LAP. This study was designed to determine whether specific salivary factors could distinguish between subjects who have Aa initially and remain healthy (H/AA) as compared to those who develop LAP (LAP/AA).
  
  
  METHODS
  H/AA subjects and healthy controls with no Aa (H) were enrolled in a longitudinal cohort study to investigate initiation of bone loss (LAP) over 3 years. After detection of LAP, stored saliva from 10 H, 10 H/AA, and 10 LAP/AA subjects was thawed, processed, and tested for (1) lactoferrin (Lf) concentration and iron levels; (2) agglutination of Aa; (3) killing of Gram-positive bacteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LAP/AA saliva levels of Lf iron were low prior to and after bone loss (3.6+1.7ngFe/μg) (LAP/AA vs. H and H/AA p≤0.01). Saliva from H/AA subjects caused Aa to agglutinate significantly more than H or LAP/AA saliva (p≤0.01). LAP/AA saliva killed Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis and Lactobacillus in vitro by >83%. Saliva from H individuals killed these bacteria by <3.3% (LAP/AA vs. H; p≤0.01). H/AA killing was intermediate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LAP/AA saliva showed: low levels of Lf iron, minimal Aa agglutinating activity, and high killing activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Aa-positive healthy saliva (H/AA) showed: higher levels of Lf iron, maximal Aa agglutinating activity, and moderate killing of Gram-positive bacteria. A salivary activity profile can distinguish between subjects who are Aa-positive and remain healthy from those who develop LAP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, New Jersey Dental School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ 071003, USA. finedh@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Furgang
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKiernan
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rubin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000371:Agglutination / Q000502:physiology; D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000382:microbiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016871:Pasteurellaceae Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013298:Streptococcus sanguis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007501:Iron; D007781:Lactoferrin