Antigens released from four oral bacteria in periodontitis

Antigens fractionated from cultures of four oral bacteria were tested for binding of serum IgG, IgA and IgM from patients in early and established phase of periodontitis. Bacteroides gingivalis and A.actinomycetemcomitans released antigens that discriminated between serum from individuals with or without periodontitis. The discriminating antigens ranged from 10 to 43 kDa and included neutral sugar and protein but no lipids. Significantly increased levels of IgG and IgA antibodies to the antigens released from B. gingivalis were detected before bone loss was seen and predicted such disease progression.