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Porphyromonas gingivalis strain variability and periodontitis
A L Griffen1, S R Lyons, M R Becker
1Departments of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Public Health, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. griffen.1@osu.edu
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|November 24, 1999
Summary
Virulence varies among Porphyromonas gingivalis strains in periodontitis. Specific heteroduplex types, like hW83, are strongly linked to severe gum disease, indicating distinct virulent subgroups.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Periodontology
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen in human periodontitis.
- Strain variability may influence disease severity and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Porphyromonas gingivalis strain variability in periodontitis.
- To identify specific P. gingivalis strains associated with periodontitis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized PCR-based assay to detect P. gingivalis heteroduplex types based on ribosomal internal spacer region (ISR) polymorphisms.
- Analyzed ISR fragments from 130 periodontitis patients and 181 healthy controls.
- Identified heteroduplex types by comparing clinical samples to reference strains via polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Main Results:
- Detected 11 P. gingivalis heteroduplex types in the study population.
- Heteroduplex type hW83 showed a strong association with periodontitis (P = 0.0000).
- Types h49417 and hHG1691 were also significantly associated with periodontitis; other types showed non-significant trends.
Conclusions:
- P. gingivalis strains exhibit varying virulence in human periodontitis.
- Specific P. gingivalis strains, particularly hW83, are strongly linked to periodontitis, suggesting a highly virulent subgroup.