Mda. Petit et al., PREVALENCE OF PERIODONTITIS AND SUSPECTED PERIODONTAL PATHOGENS IN FAMILIES OF ADULT PERIODONTITIS PATIENTS, Journal of clinical periodontology, 21(2), 1994, pp. 76-85
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of peri
odontopathic microorganisms and periodontal destruction in the spouses
and children of adult periodontitis patients. For this study, 24 fami
lies were selected on the basis of one parent with severe periodontal
breakdown and the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and
/or Porphyromonas gingivalis and/or more than 30% Prevotella intermedi
a subgingivally. The clinical examination of both parents and children
included pocket depth and clinical attachment loss (CAL) measurements
. Samples for bacterial examination were obtained from the mucous memb
ranes, the saliva and pockets. Pocket selection was based on the most
advanced periodontitis situation found in a subject. The samples were
cultured for the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis
and P. intermedia. By phase-contrast microscopy, the % of spirochetes
and motile microorganisms was assessed. The number of children within
each family varied between 1 and 3. In total 49 children were investig
ated with a range in age of 3 months to 15 years. Results showed that
under the age of 5 years, none of the children had CAL, whereas in the
age group of 5-15 years, 26.5% had 1-5 sites in the primary and/or pe
rmanent dentition with 1-3 mm CAL. 3 of the spouses had no interproxim
al CAL. 16 of the 24 spouses had a light to moderate form of periodont
itis, with at least one site with 1 to 4 mm CAL and 5 spouses had seve
re periodontal breakdown with sites showing at least 8 mm CAL. Spiroch
etes, motile microorganisms and P. intermedia were frequently present
in all family members. 18 out of the 24 probands were positive for P.
gingivalis. This organism was found once only in a 5-year-old boy and
in 11 of the spouses. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 13 prob
ands; 5 children and 5 of the spouses were also positive for this bact
erium. If a child harboured one of the periodontopathogens, at least 1
of the parents was also positive for that bacterium. This phenomenon
may be due to transmission of microorganisms between family members. C
omparison of the clinical data reported in the present study with simi
lar clinical parameters from epidemiological studies of the Dutch popu
lation suggest that the spouses and children of adult periodontitis pa
tients might be at relatively high risk of developing periodontal brea
kdown.