Microbiota of rapidly progressive periodontitis lesions in association with clinical parameters
The aim of the study was to investigate the possible association of three clinical parameters: probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and suppuration with the microbiota of rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) in young adults, using cultural microbiological techniques. Ten patients diagnosed with RPP were used in the StUdy. The patients had severe periodontal lesions with PD > 6 mm and moderate to severe bone loss. Medical history was unremarkable. Plaque index (P0, bleeding index (BI), suppuration, and PD were assessed at six points on each tooth. Six to eight lesions were selected from each patient. Plaque samples were taken prior to measurements, and total counts of anaerobic and facultative bacteria were detected. The identification of the bacteria was based on colony, cellular morphology, Gram stain, motility, respiration requirements, biochemical reactions, sugar fermentation, enzymatic activity, and additional tests. The bone loss in the maxilla was 39.2%, and the total number of teeth affected ranged from 5 of 14 to 14 of 14. In the mandible the bone loss was 36.5%, with affected teeth ranging from 4 of 14 to 14 of 14. The most frequently detected bacteria at PD > 6 mm was P. gingivalis (P.g.), found in 91.7% of the sites. Other bacteria found were F. nucleatum (90.4%), S. intermedius (87.7%),A. israeli (69.9%), and B.forsythus (53.4%). Ala. was only found in two out of 10 patients. As a proportion of all the microflora, P.g. was found to be predominant, followed by B.forsythus, P. intermedius, and F. nucleatum. In bleeding sites the species most frequently found were Selemonas sputigena, C. concisus, P. intermedius, and P. micros. In the non-bleeding sites the bacteria found were P. gingivalis, B.forsythus, A.a., and S. sanguis. In the suppuration sites P.i., C. ochracea, and Ala. were more frequently detected. F. nucleatum and C. concisus were found more frequently in non-suppurating sites. Pi. was strongly related to bleeding sites both in frequency and in mean percentage of isolates. P.i., P. micros, C. concisus, and S. sputigena were more frequently found at bleeding sites. P.i. was more prevalent and at somewhat higher levels at suppurating sites. In conclusion, certain species were more strongly related to the clinical parameters than others. [c.c.]
Kamma, J.J., M. Nakov, and F.A. Manti, J Periodont, 65:1073, 1994