[Comparative studies on progressive and superficial marginal periodontitis]

It was the objective of the present study to investigate the local inflammatory and immune response in patients with superficial (SMP) and progressive marginal periodontitis (PMP). In a preliminary study the distribution of macrophage subpopulations was analysed during experimental gingivitis using monoclonal antibodies. A significant increase in the number of inflammatory macrophages was observed during acute gingivitis. In the second part of the study, the distribution of the macrophage subpopulations, T-helper and -suppressor cells, B-lymphocytes and plasma cells as well as the total anaerobic microflora were determined during periodontal therapy. Before periodontal surgery PMP-patients demonstrated significantly more inflammatory macrophages and plasma cells and a significantly higher prevalence of Bacteroides gingivalis, Peptococcus species and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The different local immune responses in PMP-patients might be caused by a distinct subgingival microflora, since no differences were observed in the number of the immunocompetent cells and the subgingival flora after successful periodontal treatment.