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Detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis from saliva by PCR by using a simple sample-processing method
J Mättö1, M Saarela, S Alaluusua
1Research Laboratory, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|February 12, 1998
Summary
Simple saliva processing using PCR detected Porphyromonas gingivalis more effectively than culture. This oral pathogen is rare in children but common in adults, increasing with age.
Area of Science:
- Oral Microbiology
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Periodontal Disease Research
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis is a key pathogen in adult periodontitis.
- Accurate detection of P. gingivalis in saliva is crucial for diagnosis and management.
- Traditional culture methods can be slow and less sensitive for certain oral bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate simple sample-processing methods for P. gingivalis detection via PCR in saliva.
- To compare the efficacy of PCR with bacterial culture for identifying P. gingivalis.
- To determine the prevalence of P. gingivalis in a Finnish population across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples were processed using boiling and Chelex 100 methods for PCR analysis.
- PCR detection results were compared against results from conventional bacterial culture.
- The optimized PCR method was used to screen saliva from 263 Finnish subjects aged 5-80.
Main Results:
- PCR detected P. gingivalis three times more frequently than bacterial culture.
- Chelex 100 processing effectively prevented PCR inhibition in saliva samples.
- P. gingivalis prevalence increased with age, found in 5.0% of 5-10 year olds to 63.3% of 31-80 year olds.
Conclusions:
- Simple boiling and Chelex 100 processing enable sensitive PCR detection of P. gingivalis in saliva.
- P. gingivalis is uncommon in periodontally healthy children and young adults.
- The prevalence of P. gingivalis significantly increases with age, particularly in adults, correlating with periodontitis risk.