FC-GAMMA-BINDING BACTERIA IN PERIODONTAL LESIONS

The proportion of bacteria exhibiting surface Fc gamma-binding protein s was determined in periodontal pockets of 20 patients diagnosed with periodontal disease and in subgingival areas of 20 patients without pe riodontal lesions. Bacterial smears were examined by fluorescence micr oscopy based on DNA staining (Hoechst 33256) and staining of Fc gamma- binding proteins by human biotin-labelled Fc gamma and Texas red-conju gated streptavidin. Fc gamma-binding proteins were observed in all sme ars from the patients diagnosed with periodontitis, and in a majority of the smears high proportions of the bacteria were positive for Fc ga mma-binding proteins. In contrast, most smears from patients without p eriodontal lesions included low or undetectable proportions of bacteri a with Fc gamma-binding proteins.