Serum-antibodies against the trypsin-like protease of Bacteroides gingivalis in periodontitis.

Abstract

Antibody levels of IgG, IgA and IgM reactive to the trypsin‐like enzyme of B. gingivalis were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples from control subjects with clinically healthy gingiva, patients with adult periodontitis (AP) and patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP). Both AP and RPP patients had significantly higher levels of specific IgG and IgA antibodies than control subjects with healthy gingiva (p<0.001 in both cases). No significant difference was observed between the specific IgM antibody activity in the AP group compared to the control group. However, a significant difference was seen (p<0.01) for IgM activity in the RPP group compared to controls. The results indicate that the trypsin‐like enzyme of B. gingivalis is produced in vivo in sufficient amounts to be immunogenic to the host and particularly in patients with AP or RPP.