SURVIVAL IN TRANSPORT MEDIA OF ACTINOBACILLUS-ACTINOMYCETEMCOMITANS, PORPHYROMONAS-GINGIVALIS AND PREVOTELLA-INTERMEDIA IN HUMAN SUBGINGIVAL SAMPLES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival in 3 transport media of 3 suspected periodontal pathogens, Actinobacillus actinomycet emcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. Subgin gival samples were taken from 10 patients with severe periodontitis, a ll harboring at least two of the above-mentioned species. The material was dispersed and aliquots were added to vials containing reduced tra nsport fluid, reduced transport fluid containing 10% Fildes extract, o r viability-maintaining microbiostatic medium, anaerobically prepared (VMGA III). Viable counts were determined after 1, 2, 4, 24 and 48 h o f storage at 4-degrees-C or at room temperature. The results showed th at, for up to 4 h of storage, no significant differences existed for a ll parameters tested. A large increase of the total viable counts was found in VMGA III at room temperature after 24 and 48 h. This was due to an outgrowth of mainly streptococci. Incubation at 4-degrees-C yiel ded often a significantly higher recovery compared to room temperature . After storage at room temperature, the tested bacteria were below de tection level in some samples.