title: Comparison of culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques in the identification of Tannerella forsythia in periodontal health and disease, an in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Various bacterial species from subgingival biofilm have demonstrated aetiological relevance in the initiation and progression of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Tannerella forsythia (Tf) in subgingival plaque of periodontally healthy subjects and chronic periodontitis patients by using both culture and PCR technique and compare the two techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pooled subgingival plaque samples were taken using sterile curettes from predetermined sites in 50 periodontally healthy subjects and from 50 periodontitis subjects. Samples were analyzed for the presence of T. forsythia using both techniques. Statistical analysis of the results was done using Chi-square test, sensitivity, and specificity tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both techniques could detect T. forsythia in subgingival plaque samples from healthy and periodontitis subjects. Periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis using the culture technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 14 and 34%, respectively. PCR technique showed the presence of T. forsythia in 20% healthy and 40% chronic periodontitis patients. T. forsythia detection in the periodontitis group was statistically significantly higher when compared to the healthy group by both culture and PCR technique (P = 0.019 and P = 0.029). PCR demonstrated high sensitivity and low specificity when compared to the culture technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicated that T. forsythia was more prevalent in periodontitis patients when compared with healthy subjects. The PCR was found to be more sensitive than culture technique for detection of T. forsythia from the subgingival plaque samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Guru Gobind Singh College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Praveen Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Bankur
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal's NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Aarati
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal's NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Kishore
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, M. R. Ambedkar Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bankur
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Sathyadeep Dental Clinic, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Reshma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Naik
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Maratha Mandal's NGH Institute of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Belgaum, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Nami
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rajpoot
keywords: Culture technique; Tannerella forsythia; polymerase chain reaction