PORPHYROMONAS-GINGIVALIS IN AN EDENTULOUS PROBAND - A CASE-REPORT

In a previous study, an edentulous subject showed the presence of P. g ingivalis, only in saliva. The present case report is a longitudinal f ollow-up on this proband (female, 63 years) and her spouse with period ontitis (67 years). Samples were taken from the proband and the spouse for microbiological analysis at several occasions during a 3-year per iod and a I-year period respectively. In the edentulous proband, P. gi ngivalis was present in saliva only, at all times. In the spouse, P, g ingivalis was present in the periodontal pocket and on the mucous memb ranes, but the saliva was culture-negative for this species at both sa mpling times. The restriction enzyme analysis (REA) patterns of isolat es (n=7) of P. gingivalis from the proband recovered over 3 years show ed no differences. This indicated that the same clonal type of P. ging ivalis persisted for 3 years in the proband. The P. gingivalis isolate s (n=13) from the spouse showed no differences when REA patterns were compared. Comparison of REA patterns from the proband and the spouse a lso showed no differences. Thus the same clonal type of P. gingivalis( is can persist over several years in an edentulous subject and at leas t for 1 year in a subject with periodontal disease.