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Gingivitis in young adults with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
H P Müller1, A Heinecke, L Zöller
1School of Dental Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Germany. perio@t-online.de
Clinical Oral Investigations
|August 2, 2001
Summary
A widespread presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans may suppress the inflammatory response to plaque in young adults with gingivitis. This suggests a potential link between high bacterial loads and altered periodontal health indicators.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Microbiology
Background:
- High intraoral loads of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) may influence periodontal health.
- Subtle clinical changes may occur even with minimal periodontal disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical periodontal conditions at a site level in young adults with plaque-induced gingivitis.
- To investigate the impact of A. actinomycetemcomitans distribution on the association between plaque and bleeding upon probing.
Main Methods:
- Two groups of young adults with plaque-induced gingivitis were studied.
- Group 1: >20% subgingival sites harbored cultivable A. actinomycetemcomitans (n=9).
- Group 2: ≤20% subgingival sites harbored A. actinomycetemcomitans (n=8).
- Clinical conditions and plaque presence were assessed at the site level.
Main Results:
- No overt clinical differences were observed between groups.
- The association between subgingival plaque and bleeding upon probing was stronger in subjects with fewer A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive sites (RMH=3.903) compared to those with widespread distribution (RMH=1.637).
- A slightly elevated proportion of non-bleeding sites with supragingival plaque was noted in subjects with high A. actinomycetemcomitans loads.
Conclusions:
- A pronounced intraoral distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans may lead to a suppressed inflammatory response to supragingival plaque.
- This suggests A. actinomycetemcomitans may modulate the host's inflammatory reaction in plaque-induced gingivitis.