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Longitudinal study of experimentally induced periodontal disease in Macaca arctoides: relationship between microflora
Abstract:
Macaca arctoides monkeys develop periodontal disease, and they harbor a periodontopathic indigenous flora largely similar to that of humans. This study showed that various Haemophilus isolates and H2O2-splitting asaccharolytic Bacteroides melaninogenicus strains constituted major segments of the monkey periodontal microflora. These organisms have not been previously identified among human isolates. Furthermore, the present data revealed that asaccharolytic B. melaninogenicus strains increased in proportion from a few percent to about 66% of the total isolates concomitant with the development of a significant loss of alveolar bone mass. Hence, this study strongly implicates B. melaninogenicus subsp. asaccharolyticus and closely related strains as important pathogens in actively destructive periodontal disease.
Insights
This study implicates Bacteroides melaninogenicus as a key pathogen in destructive periodontal disease in monkeys. Increased levels of this bacteria correlated with significant alveolar bone loss, suggesting its role in disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Periodontology
- Primate Oral Health
Background:
- Macaca arctoides monkeys exhibit periodontal disease.
- Their oral microflora shares similarities with human periodontopathogens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify key bacterial species in Macaca arctoides periodontal disease.
- To investigate the role of Bacteroides melaninogenicus in disease pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the periodontal microflora in Macaca arctoides.
- Quantification of bacterial isolates, including Haemophilus and Bacteroides melaninogenicus.
- Correlation of bacterial proportions with alveolar bone loss.
Main Results:
- Haemophilus and H2O2-splitting, asaccharolytic Bacteroides melaninogenicus strains were major components of the monkey periodontal microflora.
- B. melaninogenicus proportion increased significantly, reaching 66% of isolates.
- This increase was concomitant with substantial alveolar bone mass loss.
Conclusions:
- Bacteroides melaninogenicus subsp. asaccharolyticus and related strains are strongly implicated as pathogens in active, destructive periodontal disease.
- These findings highlight a specific bacterial contributor to periodontal bone loss in this primate model.