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Hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities of Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens

M Okamoto1, N Maeda, K Kondo

  • 1Department of Oral Bacteriology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.

FEMS Microbiology Letters
|September 28, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens were identified in subgingival sites. P. intermedia showed higher hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities, suggesting a role in periodontal disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Periodontology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Subgingival bacteria play a critical role in periodontal disease pathogenesis.
  • Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens are commonly found in subgingival plaque.
  • Understanding the virulence factors of these bacteria is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens isolates.
  • To compare the hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities of these two species.
  • To investigate the presence of the hemagglutinin gene (phg) in relation to their virulence.

Main Methods:

  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using 16S rRNA gene sequences for bacterial identification.
  • Quantitative analysis of hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities.
  • Detection of the hemagglutinin gene (phg) via PCR.

Main Results:

  • 91 subgingival isolates were identified as P. intermedia or P. nigrescens.
  • P. intermedia isolates exhibited significantly higher hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities than P. nigrescens.
  • The hemagglutinin gene (phg) was present in 88.5% of P. intermedia and 4.5% of P. nigrescens isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Prevotella intermedia possesses higher hemolytic and hemagglutinating activities compared to Prevotella nigrescens.
  • The presence of the hemagglutinin gene correlates with these enhanced virulence factors in P. intermedia.
  • These findings suggest that P. intermedia's virulence may contribute to the progression of periodontal disease.

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