The effect of treatment on Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in localized juvenile periodontitis

Three treatment regimens including local tetracycline delivery, systemic doxycycline and surgery plus systemic doxycycline were investigated in a localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) population. Of the investigated treatments only surgery plus systemic doxycycline for 14 days was effective in eliminating or suppressing Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, an organism strongly associated with LJP lesions. While surgery plus antibiotics was the superior treatment, it appears that the possibility of reinfection or incomplete elimination of the organism exists. Careful long-term follow-up, including clinical and microbiological monitoring, is highly recommended in this periodontal population.