Gingivalis Levels Research Articles

Quantification of Porphyromonas gingivalis and fimA genotypes in smoker chronic periodontitis

Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes were associated with virulence factors in vitro, but little evidence of an association with disease severity were shown in humans. We aimed to correlate levels of P. gingivalis fimA genotypes II and IV and probing depth in smoker-chronic periodontitis subjects. One hundred and sixty eight subgingival samples of 20 smokers non-treated chronic periodontitis subjects obtained from sites with different probing depths [shallow (< or =3 mm), intermediate (4-6 mm), deep (> or =7 mm)] were analysed by real-time PCR for P. gingivalis and genotypes fimA II and IV. P. gingivalis and fimA IV were detected in all subjects, whereas fimA II was detected in 18 subjects (90%). One hundred and fifty two sites (90.5%) harboured P. gingivalis. Genotypes II and IV were detected in 28% and 69.6% of sites, respectively. The proportions of genotypes II and IV in relation to P. gingivalis levels were similar in shallow, intermediate and deep probing sites (2.4%, 4.6%, 1.4% for genotype II and 15.5%, 17.7%, 11.7% for genotype IV, respectively), indicating that other non-tested genotypes were more abundant. Increased levels of genotype IV were associated with increasing probing depth, but not of genotype II. The data suggested an association between P. gingivalis genotype fimA IV and disease severity in smoker-chronic periodontitis subjects.

Endotoxin Levels Are Associated With High‐Density Lipoprotein, Triglycerides, and Troponin in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome and Angina: Possible Contributions From Periodontal Sources

Recent studies have reported an association between poor dental health and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The purpose of this study was to correlate the presence of periodontitis with serum endotoxin/lipopolysaccharides (LPS), lipid profiles, troponin, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to Porphyromonas gingivalis in control patients or patients with ACS or angina at the time of hospital admission. Blood samples from 194 subjects presenting with ACS, angina, or non-cardiac chest pain were analyzed for endotoxin/LPS (Limulus amebocyte lysate assay), lipid profile, troponin, and IgG antibody to P. gingivalis. Data were collected from hospital charts and dental records, and health questionnaire responses. Subjects with ACS or angina were more likely to have poor oral care, fewer remaining teeth, and increased alveolar radiographic bone loss compared to subjects with chest pain. In all subjects, endotoxin/LPS and IgG antibody to P. gingivalis tended to increase in association with increased radiographic bone loss. Endotoxin/LPS increased directly with triglyceride and troponin levels (P = 0.04 and P = 0.006, respectively) and inversely with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (P = 0.002). IgG antibody to P. gingivalis levels was directly correlated with very low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.03) and triglycerides (P = 0.06) and inversely with low-density lipoprotein (P = 0.01). Results showed more alveolar bone loss in patients with cardiac disease than in patients without cardiac disease, but there was no difference between the groups in the serum levels of endotoxin/LPS or IgG antibody to P. gingivalis. However, there were associations between endotoxin/LPS and levels of serum triglycerides, troponin, and HDL.

Humoral immune response to antigens of Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 in chronic periodontitis

Introduction:Periodontitis is a chronic disease that results from an interaction of a mixed bacterial challenge and the host response.Objective:The purposes of this study were to evaluate the IgG serum levels to Porphyromonas gingivalis antigens by ELISA in individuals with different periodontal conditions correlated with clinical parameters, and to analyze the immunoreactivity profiles by Western blotting.Methods:Serum IgG levels against the cell sonicate antigen from P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 of 28 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP), 10 patients with gingivitis (G) and 21 periodontally healthy individuals (H) were measured by ELISA and Western immunoblotting.Results:In the CP group, sera reactivity by ELISA was significantly higher than in the G and H groups (Kruskal-Wallis p<0.001; Dunnet t3 p= 0.001 and Dunnet t3 p= 0.0001). There was no statistically significant difference between G and HP reactivity (Dunnett t3 p=0.617). Among individuals with chronic periodontitis, the IgG-anti-P. gingivalis serum levels were positively correlated with percentage of clinical attachment level =5mm (rs = + 0.375, p<0.05) and a negative correlation was found between IgG-anti-P. gingivalis levels and percentage of probing pocket depth 0-3mm (rs = - 0. 411, p< 0.05). The analysis of sera immunoreactivity profiles to sonicate antigen by Western blotting showed differences between the sera of CP, G and H group individuals. The serum from CP frequently reacted with high molecular weight (103 kDa, 86 kDa, 72 kDa, 60 kDa, 58 kDa, 52 kDa) protein fractions.Conclusions:Serum levels of IgG anti-P. gingivalis distinguished individuals with chronic periodontitis, gingivitis and healthy periodontium. There was a correlation between clinical parameters and serum IgG levels against P. gingivalis. There was a difference in the recognition profile of protein fractions among the studied groups and some bands were more specific

P31 The relationship between the relative amount of Porphyromonas gingivalis in saliva and halitosis

Objectives Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the microorganisms that most actively produce CH3SH and we have reported that subjects with P. gingivalis have higher CH3SH levels than subjects without P. gingivalis. However, little is known about the relationship between P. gingivalis levels in saliva and the condition of oral malodor. In this study, we evaluatedthe association between the relative amount of P. gingivalis in saliva and halitosis in mouth air.Methods All of the subjects were patients at the Preventive Dentistry and Breath Odor Clinic of Kyushu Dental College, where they received a periodontal examination. Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC: hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan) were measured using gas chromatography. Saliva samples were collected in a sterile plastic tube over a period of 5 min while the subject chewed on paraffin wax, and were then immediately stored at –80°C until use. Template DNA was obtained from the stored saliva using an Easy‐DNA Kit (Invitrogen, CA, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Conventional PCR assays were used to confirm the presence of P. gingivalis. A 5’ nuclease TaqMan PCR was used to quantify P. gingivalis in saliva. The relative numbers of bacteria were measured using the comparative threshold cycle method.Results We found a quantitative relationship between the P. gingivalis levels in saliva and the condition of halitosis in mouth air.Conclusion We analyzed the relationship between the relative amount of P. gingivalis in saliva and oral malodor.

Antibody responses to suspected periodontal pathogens in elderly subjects with periodontal disease

Little is known about the relationship of aging to periodontal disease. The immune response undergoes aging-related changes resulting in loss of functional capacity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of serum IgG antibodies against suspected periodontal pathogenic microorganisms to the presence or absence of periodontal disease in an elderly (65-75 yrs) population. From this study, we obtained information concerning: (1) the ability to differentiate elderly individuals without disease from those with disease by their levels of antibodies against periodontal pathogens and (2) which periodontal pathogen(s) triggered those responses. IgG anti- Porphyromonas gingivalis (strains W83 and 381) levels in the serum of elderly patients with severe periodontal disease were the only antibody responses measured which were elevated compared to the elderly control group of subjects with no periodontal disease. Anti- Prevotella intermedia IgG levels in both elderly patient groups were depressed compared to anti- P. intermedia levels in the young normal control subjects. Serum IgG antibody levels to six other plaque microorganisms did not differentiate between diseased and normal, elderly or young subjects. This data suggested that P. gingivalis was associated with periodontal disease in this elderly group of individuals and that those elderly individuals were able to respond with a normal IgG immune response.

Immunological assays for putative periodontal pathogens.

Immunological tests including immunofluorescence microscopy, latex agglutination, flow cytometry, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays are being developed for the detection of carcinogenic microorganisms and periodontal pathogens. In the present study, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy was used to examine two hundred eighty‐three subjects for Actinobacillus (“Haemophilus”) actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides gingivalis in subgingival dental plaque samples pooled from the mesial surface of the four first molar teeth. Alveolar bone height on panoramic radiographs was measured at each sample site using a Schei ruler and correlated with the results of immunofluorescence microscopy. Over ninety percent of the subjects did not demonstrate either putative periodonlal pathogen or harbored only trace amounts. Only 5% of the subjects demonstrated 2% or greater A. actinomycclemcomitans and no subject harbored more than 5% consistent with the finding that there were no localized juvenile periodontitis patients in this subject group. Nine percent of the subjects revealed 2% or more, and 5% demonstrated 5% or more of the total cell count as B. gingivalis. K. gingivalis levels, however, did exhibit a significant positive correlation with loss of alveolar bone height. The use of immunofluorescence microscopy for B. gingivalis exhibited 19% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 69% positive predictive value, and 69% negative predictive value when correlated with alveolar bone height measurements. The present data indicate that indirect immunofluorescence microscopy is a useful, rapid method for the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and B. gingivalis in subgingival dental plaque which can be used in the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of periodontal disease. The sensitivity of microbiological assays as indicators of periodontal disease can likely be increased by utilization of additional Immunological tests for other putative periodontal pathogens.

Effects of an immunomodulating agent on peripheral blood lymphocytes and subgingival microflora in ligature-induced periodontitis.

The peripheral blood lymphocyte populations and the subgingival levels of black-pigmented Bacteroides species were monitored during the conversion of chronic gingivitis to progressing periodontitis in cynomolgus monkeys. In addition, the effects of an immunomodulating agent, the pentapeptide of thymopoietin (TP5), were determined. After the induction of active periodontitis, proportions of helper T-cells (OKT-4 positive) decreased from 31.5 to 26.4%, and proportions of B-cells (surface immunoglobulin positive) increased from 44.5 to 51.8%. Proportions of suppressor T-cells (OKT-8 positive) remained unchanged, but the numbers of OKT-8-positive cells increased. During this same time period the total cultivable subgingival flora increased from 1.5 X 10(6) to 3.5 X 10(6) per sample, with Bacteroides gingivalis increasing from 5.3 to 16.6% of the total cultivable subgingival flora. After 10 weeks of active periodontitis, animals were treated with either TP5 or placebo. Treatment with TP5 produced an increase in helper T-cells but had no effect on B-cells. The OKT-4/OKT-8 cell ratio, which decreased from 1.3 to 0.8 with disease induction, was increased to 1.1 after TP5 treatment but remained at 0.9 in placebo-treated animals. TP5 had no effect on the total cultivable subgingival flora but significantly decreased the subgingival proportions of B. gingivalis and other black-pigmented Bacteroides species. In this model system, active periodontitis was associated with an increase in B. gingivalis, a decreased helper/suppressor T-cell ratio, and increased levels of B-cells. Treatment with TP5 increased the helper/suppressor T-cell ratio and decreased B. gingivalis levels, suggesting that lymphocyte subsets have the potential to influence subgingival levels of potential periodontal pathogens.