title: Detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA Type I Genotype in Gingivitis by Real-Time PCR-A Pilot Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Published literature till date reveals a high prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA type I genotype among healthy subjects. Quite a few studies have reported its prevalence also in periodontitis patients. Nevertheless incidence of this genotype in gingivitis is lacking in adult population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study was chosen to detect P. gingivalis fimA type I genotype among chronic gingivitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 46 subgingival plaque samples collected from chronic marginal gingivitis (n=23) and chronic periodontitis subjects (control group) (n=23) were subjected to Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction to detect the P. gingivalis fimA type I gene. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of P. gingivalis fimA type I gene among chronic periodontitis and chronic gingivitis patients were 8.7% and 30.4% respectively. P. gingivalis fimA type I genotype prevalence was found to be statistically insignificant between the two study groups (p=0.135).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The avirulent P. gingivalis fimA type I genotype, occurred in high prevalence among chronic gingivitis patients, while its presence was low in chronic periodontitis patients. Presence of this avirulent genotype in chronic marginal gingivitis signifies its reversible condition.
authors: Professor and Head, Department of Microbiology/Director, Research Lab for Oral-Systemic Health, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, BIHER , Velachery - Tambaram Road, Chennai, India .
authors: Mahalakshmi
authors: M
authors: Krishnan
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. ALM PGIBMS, University of Madras , Chennai, India .
authors: Padma
authors: P
authors: Krishnan
authors: Professor and Head, Department of Periodontics and Implantology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, BIHER , Velachery - Tambaram Road, Chennai, India .
authors: S C
authors: SC
authors: Chandrasekaran
keywords: Fimbriae; P. gingivalis; Periodontitis; Polymerase chain reaction