Intrafamilial transmission of black-pigmented, putative periodontal pathogens

Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia are black-pigmented, put ative periodontopathogenic bacteria considered to cause some forms of perio dontal disease. Porphyromonas gingivalis and P. intermedia can be transmitt ed between humans and produce periodontal disease in susceptible hosts. In this article, studies using molecular typing methods for determining the tr ansmission of black-pigmented, putative periodontopathogens between family members are reviewed. As individuals living close to each other are more pr one to transmit bacteria, the studies on transmission of periodontopathogen s have been performed on family members. It has been shown that black-pigme nted bacteria are not only transferred between spouses but also between par ents and child. Since only a limited number of studies have been done, long itudinal and controlled studies should be carried out to elucidate further the transmittance potential of these bacteria. (C) 1999 Academic Press.