Influence of diet and spiramycin on Actinomyces viscosus-associated experimental periodontitis

The effect of two diets, with and without the antibiotic spiramycin, on Actinomyces viscosus-induced experimental periodontitis was studied in albino hamsters. Severe periodontitis and root caries developed in A. viscosus-infected hamsters fed a high sucrose diet. Hamsters heavily infected with A. viscosus but fed a finely powdered laboratory chow comprised of whole grains and oats formed discrete marginal plaques, but did not develop periodontitis. A. viscosus was not recovered from the plaque microflora of animals receiving spiramycin, and periodontal pathosis did not occur. These findings suggest that dietobacterial interactions and spiramycin may influence initiation of A. viscosus-associated periodontitis in albino hamsters.