Bacteriologic and serologic investigation in diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) of the mandible

An attempt was made to clarify the obscure origin of diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) of the mandible. Bacteriologic investigations of specimens from diseased mandibles were performed with special attention to anaerobic culture technique. Propionibacterium acnes and Peptostreptococcus intermedius were in some patients found to be of etiologic importance. Sampling techniques and associated problems are discussed. An examination was made for antibodies in the patients' sera against antigens prepared from bacterial isolates. ASTA, IgM, IgG, and IgA were determined. Lymphocyte-stimulation tests were performed. The inflammatory events and chronicity of the disease could not be explained by the immunologic findings.