BACTERIAL TRANSMISSION IN PERIODONTAL-DISEASES - A CRITICAL-REVIEW

THIS REVIEW PAPER ADDRESSES intra- and extra-familial transfer of bact eria associated with periodontal diseases. Recent advances in molecula r biology provide sensitive methods to differentiate organisms within the same species, thereby facilitating tracking routes of their transm ission. Evidence for the passing of microorganisms between parents and children is particularly strong. In this regard, molecular genetic te chniques have demonstrated that if a child is colonized by a potential ly pathogenic species, then one of the parents will usually harbor gen otypically identical bacteria. The data also indicate that transfer of bacteria between spouses occur, but it appears to happen infrequently . Saliva appears to be a major vector for bacterial transmission. Howe ver, the transfer of organisms does not necessarily result in coloniza tion or infection of the host. Furthermore, individuals who harbor put ative pathogens frequently do not manifest any signs of periodontal di sease. This is attributed to host defenses, bacterial antagonism, and possibly lack of pathogenicity of infecting organisms. It is concluded , based upon current evidence, that periodontal pathogens are communic able; however,they are not readily transmissible.