[Dextrorotary protease substrates could be suitable for oral microbiological diagnostics]

The currently available methods for the identification of micro-organisms in a clinical sample are time consuming, complex or lack sensitivity and specificity. Consequently, no tests are available for rapid microbiological diagnostics in dental clinics so far. Based on the fact that bacteria posess unique enzymes for processing dextrorotary amino acids, a rapid method has been developed to detect metabolically active bacteria. Using dextrorotary amino acid containing substrates, Porphyromonas gingivalis could be detected in clinical samples with a specificity of 96-100% within 10 minutes. This new method opens the door for the development of a rapid oral diagnostic microbiological test.