Assessment of internalization and viability of Porphyromonas gingivalis inKB epithelial cells by confocal microscopy

Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is considered to be one of the mai n periodontal pathogens. The goal of this work was to confirm the ability o f P. gingivalis to invade host cells. We detected P. gingivalis inside KB c ells by confocal microscopy and analyzed the various aspects of the adheren ce and internalization process. Lysates of P. gingivalis-infected KB cells were also examined using anaerobic growth techniques. The results showed th e viability and ability to replicate, inside the host cells, of the interna lized pathogen. The production of vesicles was also tracked for the first t ime. Confocal microscopy revealed P. gingivalis in a perinuclear position.