title: Colonization and Persistence of Labeled and "Foreign" Strains ofAggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitansInoculated into the Mouths of Rhesus Monkeys.
abstract: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans(Aa) is a pathobiont and part of a consortium of bacteria that can lead to periodontitis in humans. Our aim was to develop a model for oral inoculation of labeledAainto a suitable host in order to studyAatraits and ecological factors that either enhance or repress its persistence. Primate species were screened forAato select a host for colonization studies. Macaca mulatta (Rhesus/Rh) was selected. RhAastrains were isolated, subjected to sequencing and functional analysis for comparison to human strains. "Best" methods for microbial decontamination prior to inoculation were assessed. Three groups were studied; Group 1 (N=5) was inoculated withAaSpectinomycin resistant (SpecR) Rh strain 4.35, Group 2 (N=5) inoculated withAaSpecR human strain IDH 781, and Group 3 (N=5) the un-inoculated control. Repeated feeding with pancakes spiked with SpecRAa followed high dose oral inoculation. Cheek, tongue, and plaque samples collected at baseline 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after inoculation were plated on agar; 1) selective forAa, 2) enriched for total counts, and 3) containing 50 µg/ml of Spec.Aawas identified by colonial morphology and DNA analysis. Rh and humanAahad > 93-98 % genome identity. RhAaattached to tissues better than IDH 781in vitro(p < 0.05). SpecR IDH 781 was not recovered from any tissue at any time; whereas, RhSpecR 4.35 was detected in plaque, but never tongue or cheek, in all monkeys at all times (> 1 × 105colonies/ml; p < 0.001). In conclusion, the primate model provides a useful platform for studying integration ofAastrains into a reduced but established oral habitat. Primate derived SpecRAawas consistently detected in plaque at all collection periods; however, human derivedAawas never detected. The model demonstrated both microbial as well as tissue specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, Rutgers University, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Dentistry, Bioclinical Sciences, Kuwait University, USA.
authors.forename: Maribasappa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karched
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Furgang
authors.forename: Vandana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sampathkumar
authors.forename: Senthil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Velusamy
authors.forename: Dipti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Godboley
keywords: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Biofilms; Dysbiosis; Experimental animal models; Macaca mulatta; Microbial interactions; Periodontitis