IMMUNOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF A MACROMOLECULE OF TREPONEMA-DENTICOLA

In this study the extraction and the immunochemical features of a lipo polysaccharide-like (LPSL) macromolecule of I: denticola strains 35405 , 35404, 33521 and 11 were investigated. The yield of LPSL molecule ra nged between 0.5-0.9% of the cell dry weight, it possessed Limulus ame bocyte lysate clotting activity, and it contained glucosamine, phospha te, heptose, glucose, small amounts of KDO, myristic and beta hydroxy myristic acid. Sera obtained from healthy individuals (ADA type I) per iodontitis, from 3-8 month old infants, or the mouse monoclonal antibo dy, diluted 1:2, against T. pallidum did not react with the LPSL antig ens of I: denticola strains 35405, 35404, 33521, and 11. Sera from pat ients with ADA type III-IV periodontitis were reactive with two 8-14 k Da bands even at serum dilutions of 1:2000. Sera from patients with AD A type IT periodontitis showed good antibody response to the 8-14 kDa band at a dilution of 1:50, but were weekly reactive, or nonreactive a t serum dilutions of 1:200. This study indicates that extraction of a lipopolysaccharide-like macromolecule is feasible from the assay spiro chetes, and this macromolecule may be used as an antigen for the diagn osis of ADA types III-IV periodontitis.