Do Differences in Cultivable Subgingival Species Exist between Different Periodontitis Stages and Grades?

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Microbiology
• Oral Health

Background:

• Periodontitis is a complex oral disease characterized by inflammation and destruction of periodontal tissues.
• Accurate staging and grading are crucial for understanding disease progression and tailoring treatment.
• Subgingival microbiota plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate subgingival microbiological profiles in periodontitis patients.
• To determine periodontitis stage and grade scores based on the 2018 classification.
• To evaluate differences in microbiota composition across various periodontitis stages and grades.

Main Methods:

• Sixty-seven periodontitis patients were classified according to the 2018 staging and grading system.
• Subgingival plaque samples were collected from deep periodontal pockets for microbial analysis.
• Cultivation, identification, and quantification of nine key periodontal pathogens were performed.

Main Results:

• All nine target cultivable bacteria were detected; P. intermedia was most prevalent (91.0%).
• Fusobacterium nucleatum showed significantly higher prevalence and counts in grade B compared to grade C periodontitis.
• No significant differences in the counts of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans were observed between stages and grades.

Conclusions:

• Significant differences in periodontitis microbiota are primarily linked to variations in Fusobacterium nucleatum counts between grades.
• The prevalence and quantities of other investigated cultivable species appear consistent across different periodontitis stages and grades.
• These findings highlight the specific role of F. nucleatum in differentiating periodontitis grades.