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Serum antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis in children
J L Sixou1, M Bonnaure-Mallet, C Mouton
1U.F.R. Odontologie, Université de Rennes, France.
Insights
Children exhibit high prevalence of serum antibodies against Porphyromonas gingivalis, indicating active immune responses. This study investigated antibodies to P. gingivalis cell surface extract and LPS in healthy children.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen in periodontitis.
- Understanding immune responses to P. gingivalis in children is crucial for early detection and prevention.
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and levels of antibodies against P. gingivalis in healthy pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and levels of serum antibodies against P. gingivalis cell surface extract (GBE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in periodontally healthy children.
- To assess the immune response maturation in children by comparing antibody titers to adult reference pools.
- To investigate potential correlations between antibody responses and dentition status (deciduous vs. permanent).
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 41 healthy children (aged 1-16 years) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Antibodies against a glass bead-EDTA cell surface extract (GBE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of P. gingivalis were quantified.
- P. gingivalis detection was performed using immunofluorescence with a species-specific monoclonal antibody.
Main Results:
- P. gingivalis was detected in 41% of children; isolated in 2.4%.
- High prevalence of IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies against GBE (95%, 100%, 66% respectively) and LPS (100%, 95%, 61% respectively) was observed.
- Children showed varied antibody titers compared to adults, with distinct IgA response patterns (non-responders vs. responders) observed for both GBE and LPS.
Conclusions:
- Serum antibodies to P. gingivalis are highly prevalent in healthy children, suggesting robust immune engagement.
- The findings indicate that both primary and secondary immune responses to P. gingivalis are actively developing in children.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications of these immune responses in pediatric oral health.
Abstract:
Serum samples from 41 periodontally healthy children aged 1 to 16 years were examined by ELISA for the presence of antibodies against a glass bead-EDTA cell surface extract (GBE) and LPS of Porphyromonas gingivalis strain ATCC 33277. P. gingivalis was detected by immunofluorescence, using a species-specific monoclonal antibody, in 41% (17/41) of the children, and isolated from a single subject (2.4%). IgM, IgG, and IgA against GBE were detected in respectively 39/41 (95%), 41/41 (100%), and 27/41 (66%) of the sera. In 22/39 sera, the IgG titer was below 50% that of a reference pool of adult sera (RP). In 13/41, the IgM titer was higher than that of the RP, mostly in the deciduous dentition group. Detectable IgA titers were always below 67% that of the RP. A polarized distribution of the children appeared, separating 21 non- and low IgA responders (IgA titer below 10% that of the RP) from the remaining 20 subjects. Anti-LPS IgG, IgM, and IgA were detected in 41/41 (100%), 39/41 (95%), and 23/38 (61%) respectively of the children. In 32/41 sera, the anti-LPS IgG titer was below 50% that of the RP, while in 20/39 sera, IgM titers were higher. A clearcut dichotomy in IgA response was observed, allowing us to distinguish non-IgA responders (39%) and IgA responders to LPS (61%). Our results indicate that serum antibodies to P. gingivalis are highly prevalent in children, suggesting that an active primary immune response and a secondary immune response are well underway.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)