Reproducibility of a commercially available subgingival plaque sampling strategy and analysis strategy with oligonucleotide probes.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to evaluate the intra-test agreement of pooled samples from the deepest periodontal pocket of each quadrant with a commercially available test kit based on hybridization of 16S rRNA.


METHODS
Plaque samples of 50 patients with generalized severe chronic periodontitis before therapy were pooled in two separate vials in order to detect and compare counts of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Cohen's κ and interclass correlation coefficients were calculated to judge intra-test agreement.


RESULTS
Cohen's κ for detection and counts of Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola showed a perfect agreement. Porphyromonas ginigivalis was identified in both tests with a substantial agreement, whereas detection of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans varied in eight patients resulting in a good agreement. Possible confounding factors could not be identified statistically.


CONCLUSIONS
Test results of the commercial 16S rRNA test are perfectly reproducible regarding detection of red complex pathogens. Intra-test agreement concerning detection of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was less favorable.


CONCLUSIONS
Detection of certain periodontal pathogens may alter the treatment and lead to prescription of antibiotics parallel to mechanical debridement. It is quite important not to use antibiotics excessively. Thus, the basis for decision-making in favor of antibiotics should be solid.
a Section of Periodontology, Department of Conservative Dentistry Clinic for Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases , University Hospital Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany.
Bernadette
B
Pretzl
a Section of Periodontology, Department of Conservative Dentistry Clinic for Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases , University Hospital Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany.
Jule
J
Paul
a Section of Periodontology, Department of Conservative Dentistry Clinic for Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases , University Hospital Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany.|b Private Practice , Heidelberg , Germany.
Diana M
DM
Krigar
c Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics (IMBI) , University Hospital Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany.
Lorenz
L
Uhlmann
d Department of Periodontology, Center of Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum) , Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main , Frankfurt , Germany.
Peter
P
Eickholz
a Section of Periodontology, Department of Conservative Dentistry Clinic for Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Diseases , University Hospital Heidelberg , Heidelberg , Germany.|d Department of Periodontology, Center of Dentistry and Oral Medicine (Carolinum) , Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University Frankfurt/Main , Frankfurt , Germany.|e Private Practice , Weilburg , Germany.
Bettina
B
Dannewitz
D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000145:classification*; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification / Q000382:microbiology*; D016966:Porphyromonas gingivalis / Q000302:isolation & purification
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Porphyromonas gingivalis; RNA probes; Tannerella forsythia; Treponema denticola; generalized severe chronic periodontitis; subgingival plaque