T. Morinushi et al., The relationship between gingivitis and colonization by Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in children, J PERIODONT, 71(3), 2000, pp. 403-409
Background: Porphyromonas ging ivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomit
ans are closely associated with the onset and severity of adult periodontal
disease. However, little is known regarding the colonization by, and host
antibody response to, these microorganisms in children.
Methods: Plaque and sera were obtained from 40 healthy children, 2 to 18 ye
ars old. Gingival health was assessed by the periodontal disease index (PDI
), papillary bleeding score (BS) and the modified total papillary margin at
tachment index (M-PMA). P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans in plaqu
e samples were detected by slot immunoblotting (SIB). Serum antibody levels
against these microorganisms were evaluated using ELISA.
Results: More than 60% of the children had detectable levels of P. gingival
is in their plaque. Those having detectable levels had more gingival inflam
mation than those having none; however, these differences were significant
only in children over the age of 12 years (PDI, BS). In contrast, while 75%
of the children had detectable A. actinomycetemcomitans, there were signif
icant differences in gingival inflammation associated with colonization in
children from 3 to 7 years of age (PDI) and over 12 years of age (M-PMA). S
erum antibody levels to P. gingivalis were inversely correlated with gingiv
al inflammation in all age groups, while A. actinomycetemcomitans titers we
re positively correlated with gingival inflammation only in the children ov
er 12 years. No significant relationship between the presence of either A.
actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis and antibodies to them was found.
Conclusions: Our findings show that P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomit
ans are readily detected as early as 3 years of age and that their presence
is associated with the onset and severity of gingivitis.