Quantitative investigation of the bacterial content of periodontal abscess samples by real-time PCR

Periodontal abscesses, which are part of the acute periodontal disease group characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissue with deep periodontal pockets, bleeding on probing, suppuration, and localized pus accumulation, cause rapid destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the microbial content of periodontal abscesses by specific and culture-independent qPCR.

This study was conducted on 30 volunteers diagnosed with periodontal abscesses and presenting with complaints of localized pain, swelling, and tenderness in the gingiva. Genomic DNA was isolated from the samples taken. Escherichia coli bacteria were used for the standard curve created to calculate the prevalence of target bacteria in the total bacterial load. 16S rRNA Universal primers were used to assess the total bacterial load and prevalence. Bacterial counts were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (ρ) matrix.

From the analysis of Real-Time PCR, Porphyromonas gingivalis (30, 100%), Prevotella intermedia (30, 100%), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (30, 100%) were detected in all samples. Campylobacter rectus (29, 96.6%), Porphyromonas endodontalis (29, 96.6%), Tannerella forsythia (28, 93.3%), Filifactor alocis (28, 93.3%), and Actinomyces naeslundii (28, 93.3%) were also frequently detected.

Periodontal abscesses were found to be polymicrobial, and not only periodontal pathogens appeared to be associated with the development of periodontal abscesses. The presence, prevalence, and number of Porphyromonas endodontalis and Propionibacterium acnes in the contents of periodontal abscesses were determined for the first time in our study. Further studies are needed to better understand the roles of bacteria in periodontal disease, including abscesses.