[Immune response during experimental periodontitis in mice]

Four groups of mice, each of a different genotype, were orally inoculated with Actinomyces viscosus. The resulting periodontal bone loss was monitored and the isotype specific anti-A. viscosus serum humoral immune responses measured by ELISA. Maximum periodontal bone loss occurred in all genotypes with inoculation of 1.6 x 107 colony forming units of A. viscosus. IgG and IgM isotype levels increased with inoculation of 1.6 x 107 colony forming units of A. viscosus in three of the four groups, indicating that IgA may be important in producing periodontal bone loss.