Aggressive periodontitis associated with Fanconi's anemia. A case report

BACKGROUND

Fanconi's anemia is an autosomal recessive disease associated with chromosomal breakage as well as pancytopenia, skin pigmentation, renal hypoplasia, cardiac defects, microcephaly, congenital malformations of the skeleton, hypogonadism, and increased risk of leukemia. The present report describes the periodontal clinical and microbiological status of an 11-year old male having Fanconi's anemia.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction analysis to detect human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr type 1 virus, and herpes simplex virus (HSV) was performed on paper-point samples pooled from either 3 periodontal sites with advanced attachment loss or 3 gingivitis sites with no clinical attachment loss. Anaerobic bacterial culture examination was performed on the pooled periodontitis sample.

RESULTS

The patient suffered from pancytopenia, allergy, asthma, hearing impairment, and mental retardation. Dentition consisted of 7 primary teeth, 11 erupted permanent teeth, and 14 unerupted permanent teeth. Most erupted teeth showed severe gingival inflammation with some gingival overgrowth and various degrees of periodontal attachment loss. Genomes of HCMV and HSV were detected in the pooled periodontitis sample and HCMV in the pooled gingivitis sample. The periodontitis sample but not the gingivitis sample revealed HCMV mRNA of major capsid protein, suggestive of active viral infection. The periodontitis sample also yielded Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (1.1% of total isolates), FusobActerium species (7.9%), Campylobacter species (2.2%), Peptostreptococcus micros (3.4%), and Candida albicans (0.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral features of Fanconi's anemia may include increased susceptibility to periodontitis. It is likely that underlying host defense impairment coupled with periodontal infection by HCMV and A. actinomycetemcomitans contribute to the severe type of periodontitis associated with Fanconi's anemia.

Herpes viruses and periodontopathic bacteria in early-onset periodontitis

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the occurrence of human herpes viruses and suspected periodontopathic bacteria in early-onset periodontitis patients who experienced progressive disease in at least 2 periodontal sites during the maintenance phase of therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In each of 16 individuals (9 male and 7 female; mean age 33.1+/-2.6 years), subgingival plaque samples were collected from 2 deteriorating and 2 stable periodontitis sites. A nested polymerase chain reaction method determined the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) and herpes simplex virus (HSV). A 16s rRNA polymerase chain reaction method identified Porphyromonas gingivalis, Dialister pneumosintes, Bacteroides forsythus and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

RESULTS

HCMV was detected in 59.4% of active and in 12.5% of stable sites (p<0.001), EBV-1 in 43.8% of active and in 12.5 % of stable sites (p=0.01), HSV in 34.5% of active and in 9.4% of stable sites (p=0.03), and co-infection with any of the 3 test herpesviruses in 43.8% of active and in 3.1% of stable sites (p<0.001). P. gingivalis was detected in 71.9% of active and in 37.5% of stable sites (p=0.01), D. pneumosintes in 62.5% of active and in 18.8% of stable sites (p=0.04), co-infection with P. gingivalis and D. pneumosintes in 50% of active and in 0% of stable sites (p<0.001), and co-infection with any 3 or 4 of the test bacteria in 40.6% of active and in 0% of stable sites (p=0.001). All periodontitis sites showing herpesvirus co-infection and all but one site showing P. gingivalis and D. pneumosintes co-infection revealed bleeding upon probing.

CONCLUSIONS

HCMV, EBV-1, HSV and herpesvirus co-infection, as well as P. gingivalis, D. pneumosintes and P. gingivalis-D. pneumosintes co-infection were statistically associated with active periodontitis. Herpesviruses are immunosuppressive and may set the stage for overgrowth of subgingival P. gingivalis, D. pneumosintes and other periodontopathic bacteria. Understanding the significance of herpesviruses in human periodontitis may allow for improved diagnosis, more specific therapy and, ultimately, disease prevention.

Subgingival strains of Candida albicans in relation to geographical origin and occurrence of periodontal pathogenic bacteria

Clonal diversity of subgingival yeast strains was determined in relation to geographical location and coexistence of selected periodontal pathogenic bacteria. A total of 60 dental patients from Finland, the United States and Turkey each contributed five Candida albicans isolates. C. albicans isolates were serotyped using slide agglutination and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and a random sequence primer. In general, each study subject yielded C. albicans isolates belonging to the same serotype and genotype. C. albicans serotype A occurred more frequently in subjects from Finland and Turkey than in subjects from the United States. A total of 27 PCR-based C. albicans genotypes were identified. One C. albicans genotype occurred with particularly high frequency in subjects from Turkey and another genotype in subjects from the United States. Relationships were identified between C. albicans serotypes and genotypes. Further studies are needed to determine environmental factors of importance for subgingival colonization and persistence of C. albicans.

Typing of herpes simplex virus from human periodontium

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is frequently detected in gingival crevicular fluid and in gingival biopsies of periodontal lesions; however, the relative occurrence of HSV type 1 and 2 in periodontal specimens has not been established. This investigation used type-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in periodontal pocket samples from 26 patients who had previously been revealed to have periodontal HSV by PCR amplification of a gene shared by HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 was detected in all 26 periodontal pocket specimens and HSV-2 was not detected. Apparently, HSV-2 is a rare inhabitant of periodontal sites.

Herpesviruses in HIV-periodontitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Human herpesvirus-associated diseases exhibit elevated morbidity and mortality in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of herpesviruses in HIV-periodontitis.

METHOD

Gingival biopsies from periodontitis lesions of 21 HIV-patients and 14 non HIV-patients were studied. Nested-polymerase chain reaction methods were employed to detect human cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus type 1 and 2 (EBV-1, EBV-2), herpes simplex virus, human herpes virus (HHV)-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8.

RESULTS

Gingival biopsies from HIV-periodontitis lesions showed on average 4.0 herpesvirus species and gingival biopsies from HIV periodontitis lesions of non-HIV patients revealed an average of 1.9 herpesvirus species (p<0.001). Occurrence of 4 to 6 different herpesviruses was more common in HIV- than in non HIV-gingival biopsies (71% vs. 7%) (p<0.001). EVB-2 was detected in 12 (57%) biopsies from HIV-periodontitis but was absent in non HIV-periodontitis biopsies (p= 0.002). HHV-6 also occurred in significantly higher frequency in HIV-periodontitis (71%) than in non HIV-periodontitis (21%) (p=0.01). HHV-8 was detected only in biopsies from HIV-periodontitis lesions..

CONCLUSION

HIV-periodontitis seems to be associated with elevated occurrence of EBV-2, HHV-6 and herpesvirus co-infections compared to periodontitis in non-HIV-patients. The periodontopathic significance of herpesviruses in HIV-periodontitis constitutes a research topic of considerable interest.

Herpesviruses: a unifying causative factor in periodontitis?

Human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus type 1 are discussed in this review as they relate to destructive periodontal disease in humans. Genomes of the two herpesviruses occur frequently in severe adult periodontitis, localized and generalized juvenile periodontitis, Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome periodontitis, Down's syndrome periodontitis, HIV-associated periodontitis and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. Herpesvirus infections generally involve a mild or asymptomatic primary phase followed by an asymptomatic latent phase interrupted sporadically by periods of activation, where viral replication and possibly clinical disease become manifest. Herpesvirus reactivation is triggered by a number of immunosuppressing factors, some of which have also been shown to be risk indicators of periodontal disease. Available evidence argues for the involvement of active cytomegalovirus infection in the initiation and progression of localized juvenile periodontitis and possibly other types of periodontal disease. In periodontal disease, herpesviruses may cause release of tissue-destructive cytokines, overgrowth of pathogenic periodontal bacteria, and initiation of cytotoxic or immunopathogenic events. Understanding the significance of herpesviruses in the causation and pathogenesis of destructive periodontal diseases may have important implications in future prevention and treatment of the diseases.

Frequency of 530-bp deletion in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin promoter region

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains showing a 530-bp deletion in the promoter region of the leukotoxin gene operon elaborate high amounts of leukotoxin that may play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. This study used polymerase chain reaction detection to determine the occurrence of the 530-bp deletion in 94 A. actinomycetemcomitans strains from individuals of various ethnic backgrounds. Eleven blacks and one Hispanic subject but no Caucasian or Asian subjects showed the 530-bp deletion in the leukotoxin promoter region, suggesting that the deletion is mainly a characteristic of individuals of African descent. A. actinomycetemcomitans strains exhibiting a deletion in the leukotoxin promoter region occurred both in individuals having severe periodontitis and in adolescents revealing no evidence of destructive periodontal disease.

Herpesviruses 6, 7 and 8 in HIV- and non-HIV-associated periodontitis

Human herpesviruses, especially cytomegalovirus and Epstein Barr virus type-1, occur with higher frequency in subgingival specimens from periodontitis lesions than from healthy/gingivitis sites. Little or no information is available on the relationship between herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) and herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and periodontal disease. This study determined the periodontal occurrence of HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8 in 21 HIV-seropositive and 14 HIV-negative adults affected by periodontitis. Gingival biopsy specimens and paper-point samples of subgingival plaque were collected from sites showing 5 mm or more in probing depth. Nested polymerase chain reaction methodology was employed in herpesvirus identification. In the HIV-seropositive periodontitis group, 90% of gingival biopsies and 62% of subgingival plaque samples revealed at least one of the test viruses. HHV-6 occurred in 71%, HHV-7 in 67% and HHV-8 in 24% of gingival biopsies. In the HIV-negative adult periodontitis group, 43% of gingival biopsies showed at least 1 of the test viruses, with HHV-6 present in 21% and H HV-7 in 29% of gingival biopsies and with no detection of HHV-8. The combined occurrence of the 3 test herpesviruses was significantly higher in HIV-seropositive than in HIV-negative adult periodontitis patients (p = 0.008). The human periodontium might constitute a site of infection or reservoir for HHV-6, -7, -8.

Clinical and microbiologic study of periodontal surgery by means of apically positioned flaps with and without osseous recontouring

In periodontitis lesions with interproximal craters, periodontal flap surgery with osseous recontouring allows more apical positioning of the soft periodontal tissue than flap surgery without osseous recontouring. The present study determined the clinical and microbiologic responses to periodontal surgery with and without osseous recontouring in adult periodontitis lesions with interproximal craters. In 7 osseous surgery patients, osteoplasty and ostectomy were performed from the lingual/palatal aspect to eliminate interproximal osseous defects and to partly mimic the original alveolar bony transition to neighboring teeth. In 7 nonosseous surgery patients, the surgical flap was adapted to the preexisting osseous level. Clinical monitoring included periodontal probing depth, Plaque Index, gingival bleeding index, and radiographic examination. Samples of the subgingival microbiota were examined. In sites treated with osseous surgery, mean pocket depth was 5.5 mm at baseline, 1.9 mm at 1 month, 2.0 mm at 3 months, and 2.1 mm at 6 months. In sites not receiving osseous recontouring surgery, the corresponding pocket depths were 5.9 mm, 3.1 mm, 3.8 mm, and 4.1 mm. At baseline in the osseous surgery group, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was recovered from one patient and Porphyromonas gingivalis from 5 patients; posttreatment, these microbiota were not detected in any patient. In the nonosseous surgery group, the presence of A actinomycetemcomitans increased posttreatment, and levels of P gingivalis remained essentially unchanged after therapy. This study suggests that in patients not receiving adjunctive antibiotic therapy, apically positioned flap surgery with osseous recontouring is more effective than apically positioned flap surgery without osseous recontouring in reducing periodontal pocket depth and levels of major periodontal pathogens.

Efficient antimicrobial treatment in periodontal maintenance care

BACKGROUND

The goal of follow-up care after periodontal therapy is to preserve the function of individual teeth and the dentition, ameliorate symptoms and simplify future surgery or make it unnecessary. Effective follow-up periodontal care depends on early diagnosis and treatment, as well as patient education.

RESULTS

The main determinants of successful periodontal maintenance therapy are dental professionals' ability to combat periodontal infections and patients' compliance with prescribed follow-up care. Mechanical and chemical antimicrobial intervention is the mainstay of preventive periodontal therapy. Chemotherapeutics alone are unlikely to be effective in the presence of subgingival calculus, underscoring the importance of subgingival mechanical débridement. Also, because toothbrushing and rinsing alone do not reach pathogens residing in periodontal pockets of increased depths, oral hygiene procedures should include subgingival treatment with home irrigators or other appropriate self-care remedies.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

When considering possible preventive therapies, dental professionals must weigh the risk of patients' acquiring destructive periodontal disease against potentially adverse effects, financial costs and inconvenience of the preventive treatment. The authors discuss theoretical and practical aspects of follow-up care for patients with periodontal disease. In addition, because it can be both difficult and expensive to control periodontal disease via conventional preventive measures alone, they present a new, simple and more cost-effective antimicrobial protocol for supportive periodontal therapy.

Molecular identification of Dialister pneumosintes in subgingival plaque of humans

Dialister pneumosintes is a nonfermentative, anaerobic, gram-negative rod that grows with small, circular, transparent, shiny, smooth colonies on blood agar. Even though D. pneumosintes has been recovered from deep periodontal pockets, little is known about the relationship between the organism and destructive periodontal disease. This study describes a rapid PCR method to identify D. pneumosintes in periodontal samples. The PCR identification method detected as little as 10 pg of D. pneumosintes DNA or about 1 to 10 cells without nonspecific amplification of various periodontopathic bacteria. Twelve of 22 subgingival samples from adult periodontitis lesions yielded D. pneumosintes either by culture or by PCR identification. In culture-positive samples, D. pneumosintes averaged 3.9% (0.001 to 10.8%) of total isolates. Studies are needed to delineate virulence factors of D. pneumosintes pertinent to periodontal disease.

Importance of Dialister pneumosintes in human periodontitis

Anaerobic bacteria play important roles in the pathogenesis of human periodontitis. This study examined the relationship between a potentially new periodontopathic bacterium Dialister pneumosintes and periodontal disease. A total of 73 women and 62 men aged 18 to 86 years participated in the study. Using a 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction identification method, the presence of D. pneumosintes was determined in paper-point samples from periodontal pockets of 105 periodontitis and 30 gingivitis patients. D. pneumosintes was detected in 83% of patients having severe periodontitis and in 19% of patients having slight periodontitis. We suggest adding D. pneumosintes to the group of suspected periodontal pathogens.

Human herpesviruses and Porphyromonas gingivalis are associated with juvenile periodontitis

BACKGROUND

Although herpesviruses have been associated with adult periodontitis, their relationship with juvenile periodontitis (JP) has not been established. This case-control study examined possible associations between JP and pathogenic bacteria, the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and the Epstein-Barr type 1 virus (EBV-1).

METHODS

Subjects were participants in a larger survey of schoolchildren in North-Central Jamaica. Subgingival plaque samples from 15 subjects with JP, 20 with incipient periodontitis (IP), and 65 randomly-selected healthy controls were assayed for Porphyromonas gingivalis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans using a 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification method, and for HCMV and EBV-1 using nested PCR identification.

RESULTS

Strong bivariate associations were found between JP and P. gingivalis (odds ratio [OR] = 12.7; 95% CI = 2.6, 61.4), HCMV (OR = 10.0; 95% CI = 2.7, 36.3), and A. actinomycetemcomitans (OR = 8.0; 95% CI = 2.3, 27.5), but not EBV-1. In multivariate analyses, P. gingivalis remained a significant explanatory variable (OR = 7.8; 95% CI = 1.5, 40.9); however, the associations were marginal for HCMV (OR = 4.6; 95% CI = 0.9, 22.7), and non-significant for A. actinomycetemcomitans (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 0.4, 9.7). The associations with JP and the extent of attachment loss were even stronger when both P. gingivalis and HCMV were detected together. P. gingivalis (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.3, 12.0) and EBV-1 (OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.0, 10.3) were the only significant explanatory variables in the multivariate analysis of IP.

CONCLUSIONS

P. gingivalis is the strongest and most stable indicator of periodontitis in Jamaican adolescents. Co-infection with P. gingivalis and HCMV appears to be particularly deleterious to periodontal health.

Primer for antimicrobial periodontal therapy

Successful prevention and treatment of periodontitis is contingent upon effective control of the periodontopathic microbiota. Periodontal pathogens reside in subgingival sites but also colonize supragingival plaque, tongue dorsum and other oral sites. Controlling destructive periodontal disease warrants a comprehensive antimicrobial approach that targets periodontal pathogens in various ecological niches of the oral cavity. Also, to effectively combat periodontal pathogens, the various elements of antimicrobial periodontal therapy should be engaged within a short period of time. Scaling and root planing, with or without periodontal surgery, along with proper oral hygiene, constitute the primary approach to controlling periodontopathogens. Antimicrobial agents administered systemically or locally can help suppress periodontal pathogens in periodontal sites and in the entire mouth. Microbiological testing aids the clinician in selecting the most effective antimicrobial agent or combination of agents, and in monitoring the effectiveness of periodontal treatment. The present paper considers theoretical and practical aspects of effective antimicrobial treatment of destructive periodontal disease.

Herpesviruses and periodontopathic bacteria in Trisomy 21 periodontitis

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease in Trisomy 21 patients. This study determined the occurrence of herpesviruses and putative periodontopathic bacteria in Trisomy 21 periodontitis.

METHODS

Nineteen Trisomy 21 patients (17 to 37 years of age) contributed subgingival samples from molar and bicuspid teeth presenting interproximal periodontitis lesions (probing depths, 5 to 8 mm) and from shallow periodontal sites (probing depths, 1 to 3 mm). Samples were obtained at baseline, and at 1 and 4 weeks after subgingival debridement by means of hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers. Epstein-Barr virus type 1 and 2 (EBV-1 and EBV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV) were identified by sensitive and specific nested polymerase chain reaction. Putative periodontopathic bacteria were identified by means of non-selective and selective culture.

RESULTS

Of 19 Trisomy 21 periodontitis lesions, 6 (32%) were positive for EBV-1, 5 (26%) were positive for HCMV, 3 (16%) were positive for HSV, and 2 (11%) showed viral co-infection. Of 19 shallow periodontal sites, only one revealed HCMV. Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus, and Capnocytophaga species were detected in higher proportions in deep than in shallow periodontal pockets (P = 0.02). Subgingival debridement did not reduce genomic herpesvirus presence but caused a decrease in proportions of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Capnocytophaga species.

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal herpesvirus-bacteria coinfections may play important roles in the pathogenesis of destructive periodontal disease in Trisomy 21 patients. Herpesviruses may reduce the periodontal defense and promote growth of subgingival bacteria capable of causing periodontal breakdown.

Oral microorganisms and cardiovascular disease

The list of etiological factors for cardiovascular disease is long, complicated, intertwined, and yet to be completed. This paper will evaluate the current evidence for the pathogenic role of certain microorganisms, including those of the oral cavity, in the etiology of cardiovascular disease.

Responsible use of antimicrobials in periodontics

New products and treatment modalities for the management of periodontal disease continue to offer the clinician a large number of choices, many of which involve antimicrobials. Specific pathogenic bacteria play a central role in the etiology and pathogenesis of destructive periodontal disease. Under suitable conditions, periodontal pathogens colonize the subgingival environment and are incorporated into a tenacious biofilm. Successful prevention and treatment of periodontitis is contingent upon effective control of the periodontopathic bacteria. This is accomplished by professional treatment of diseased periodontal sites and patient-performed plaque control. Attention to community factors, such as water contamination and bacterial transmission among family members, facilitates preventive measures and early treatment for the entire family. Subgingival mechanical debridement, with or without surgery, constitutes the basic means of disrupting the subgingival biofilm and controlling pathogens. Appropriate antimicrobial agents that can be administered systemically (antibiotics) or via local delivery (povidone-iodine) may enhance eradication or marked suppression of subgingival pathogens. Microbiological testing may aid the clinician in the selection of the most effective antimicrobial agent or combination of agents. Understanding the benefits and limitations of antibiotics and antiseptics will optimize their usefulness in combating periodontal infections.

Herpesvirus in localized juvenile periodontitis

Herpesvirus genomic sequences can be detected in gingival crevicular fluid of adult periodontitis lesions. Herpesviruses are immunosuppressive and may facilitate establishment of subgingival pathogens. Electron microscopic studies have identified nuclear and cytoplasmic virus-like inclusions in gingival inflammatory cells from localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP). The present study aimed to determine if herpesviruses occur in LJP lesions and if human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) activation is associated with elevated levels of subgingival Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, the putative bacterial pathogen of LJP. Eleven systemically healthy patients exhibiting LJP (10-23 yr) were studied. In each patient, subgingival samples were pooled from 3 periodontitis lesions around first molar and incisor teeth (5-11 mm periodontal pocket depth) and from 3 gingivitis/healthy sites around canines (2-3 mm periodontal pocket depth). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect herpesvirus DNA and HCMV cDNA of major capsid protein transcripts, indicative of viral activation. Selective culture and 16S rRNA PCR were used to identify A. actinomycetemcomitans. Of 11 deep periodontal samples, 8 showed HCMV, 7 showed Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1), 1 showed EBV type 2, 6 showed herpes simplex virus (HSV) and 8 showed viral co-infection. Of 11 shallow periodontal samples, 2 showed HCMV, 2 showed EBV-1, 1 showed HSV and 2 showed viral co-infection. The difference in occurrence of HCMV and viral co-infection between deep and shallow periodontal sites was statistically significant (p =0.031). HCMV activation was detected in deep pockets of all 5 virally positive patients with early LJP (aged 10-14 years) but only in 1 of 3 virally positive LJP patients older than 14 years, and not in any shallow pocket tested. HCMV activation appeared related to absence of radiographic crestal alveolar lamina dura, a possible indication of periodontal disease progression. A. actinomycetemcomitans tended to be more prevalent in samples showing active than latent HCMV infection. The present findings are consistent with the notion that periodontal herpesvirus infection and possibly HCMV activation constitute important features of the etiopathogenesis of LJP.

Herpesviruses in human periodontal disease

Recent studies have identified various herpesviruses in human periodontal disease. Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) infects periodontal B-lymphocytes and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infects periodontal monocytes/ macrophages and T-lymphocytes. EBV-1, HCMV and other herpesviruses are present more frequently in periodontitis lesions and acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis-lesions than in gingivitis or periodontally healthy sites. Reactivation of HCMV in periodontitis lesions tends to be associated with progressing periodontal disease. Herpesvirus-associated periodontitis lesions harbor elevated levels of periodontopathic bacteria, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteriodes forsythus, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens and Treponema denticola. It may be that active periodontal herpesvirus infection impairs periodontal defenses, thereby permitting subgingival overgrowth of periodontopathic bacteria. Alteration between latent and active herpesvirus infection in the periodontium might lead to transient local immunosuppression and explain in part the episodic progressive nature of human periodontitis. Tissue tropism of herpesvirus infections might help explain the localized pattern of tissue destruction in periodontitis. Absence of herpesvirus infection or viral reactivation might explain why some individuals carry periodontopathic bacteria while still maintaining periodontal health. Further studies are warranted to delineate whether the proposed herpesvirus-periodontopathic bacteria model might account for some of the pathogenic features of human periodontal disease.

Herpesviruses in periodontal pocket and gingival tissue specimens

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus type 1 (EBV-1) are frequently detected in crevicular fluid of deep periodontal pockets, but little or no information is available on occurrence of herpesviruses in gingival tissue. This investigation studied the presence of herpesviruses in periodontal pockets and the corresponding gingival tissues from 11 periodontally healthy and 14 periodontitis sites. A nested-polymerase chain reaction was employed to identify the presence of HCMV, EBV-1, EBV-2, herpes simplex virus, human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8 in each test sample. In healthy periodontal sites, HCMV was detected in 1 (9%) and EBV-1 in 2 (18%) pocket samples, and HCMV was detected in 2 (18%) and EBV-1 in 3 (27%) gingival tissue samples. In periodontitis lesions, HCMV was detected in 9 (64%) pocket samples and in 12 (86%) gingival tissue samples, and EBV-1 was detected in 6 (43%) pocket samples and in 11 (79%) gingival tissue samples. HHV-6 and HHV-8 were detected exclusively in gingival tissue samples. The present findings confirm the frequent presence of HCMV and EBV-1 in periodontitis lesions and suggest using gingival tissue specimens for detecting periodontal HHV-6, HHV-7 and HHV-8.

Practical antimicrobial periodontal therapy

Specific pathogenic bacteria play a central role in the etiology and pathogenesis of destructive periodontal disease. Under suitable conditions, periodontal pathogens colonize the subgingival environment and are incorporated into a tenacious biofilm. Successful prevention and treatment of periodontitis is contingent on effective control of the periodontopathic bacteria, which is accomplished with professional treatment of diseased periodontal sites and patient performed plaque control. Subgingival mechanical debridement, with or without surgery, constitutes the basic means of disrupting the subgingival biofilm and controlling pathogens. Appropriate antimicrobial agents that can be administered systemically or via local delivery may enhance eradication or suppression of subgingival pathogens. Microbiological testing may aid the clinician in the selection of the most effective antimicrobial agent or combination of agents. Understanding the benefits and limitations of antibiotics and antiseptics will optimize their usefulness in combating periodontal infections.

Effects of treatment with clindamycin hydrochloride on progression of canine periodontal disease after ultrasonic scaling

This study was conducted to determine the benefit, if any, of combining antibiotic therapy with ultrasonic scaling, root planing, and polishing (USRP) over USRP alone as determined by improvements in plaque index, gingival index, and pocket depth measurements. Thirty dogs with signs of periodontal disease were randomly assigned to the USRP-only treatment group or to the USRP-antibiotic treatment group. USRP was performed on all dogs on study day 0. In addition, dogs in the USRP-antibiotic treatment group received clindamycin hydrochloride (Antirobe, Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) dosed at 2.5 mg/lb body weight (BW) twice a day beginning on day 0 and continuing 8 days. Followup visits occurred 2, 6, 13, and 25 weeks after the start of the study. Treatment differences were compared using a mixed model analysis for repeated measures. This analysis indicated that the clindamycin regimen, after USRP, had a significant effect on plaque and pocket depth measures of periodontal disease but not on gingivitis. For plaque, average index scores for the treatment group were lower at all follow-up visits with significant differences at 2 and 6 weeks after cleaning. The antibiotic treatment group also maintained a significantly smaller average pocket depth, representing a 15% postcleaning reduction for the clindamycin group versus a 3% reduction in the control group.

Update on Actinobacillus Actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in human periodontal disease

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is an important pathogen of periodontitis in young individuals. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen of severe adult periodontitis. A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis can be transmitted from family member to family member and may cause periodontitis in the recipient individual. In the USA, A. actinomycetemcomitans occurs more frequently in Hispanics and Asians than in Caucasians. P. gingivalis is more common in Hispanics, Asians and Blacks than in Caucasians. A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis strains differ in genotype, serotype, toxin and enzyme production, and cellular invasiveness. Variation in virulence may help explain differing clinical outcomes of periodontal A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis infections. A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis cannot be eradicated from the great majority of deep periodontal pockets by mechanical debridement alone. A. actinomycetemcomitans may be removed from subgingival sites by adjunctive systemic amoxicillin-metronidazole or other appropriate antibiotic therapies. Subgingival eradication of P. gingivalis may require periodontal surgery as well as antibiotic therapy.

Microbiological features of Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome periodontitis

Papillon-Lefevre syndrome patients exhibit hyperkeratosis palmo-plantaris and severe periodontitis. The syndrome is an autosomal recessive trait, but the mechanism of periodontal destruction is not known. This report presents the clinical and microbiological features of an 11-year old girl with Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome. Clinical examination included conventional periodontal measurements and radiographic analysis. In samples from 3 deep periodontal lesions, the occurrence of major suspected periodontopathic bacteria was determined by selective and non-selective culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification, and the presence of cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr type 1 virus by a nested-PCR detection method. 10 of 22 available teeth demonstrated severe periodontal breakdown. Major cultivable bacteria included Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (3.4% of total isolates), Prevotella nigrescens (16.4%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (14.3%) and Peptostreptococcus micros (10.6%). A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. nigrescens, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Eikenella corrodens were identified by PCR analysis. The patient's non-affected parents and older brother revealed several periodontal pathogens but not A. actinomycetemcomitans. The viral examination demonstrated cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr type 1 virus in the subgingival sample of the Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome patient. The father and brother yielded subgingival cytomegalovirus but not Epstein-Barr type 1 virus. We hypothesize that human herpesviruses in concert with A. actinomycetemcomitans play important rôles in the development of Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome periodontitis.

Tetracycline-coated polytetrafluoroethylene barrier membranes in the treatment of intraosseous periodontal lesions

BACKGROUND

Periodontal pathogens are detrimental to periodontal healing in barrier membrane-assisted periodontal therapy. Tetracycline-coating of barrier membranes may reduce levels of infecting pathogens. This study evaluated the clinical and microbiological effects of tetracycline-coated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (T-ePTFE) barrier membranes in the treatment of 2- to 3-wall intraosseous periodontal lesions around mandibular molars.

METHODS

Eleven patients received non-coated barrier membranes (ePTFE) and 11 patients received T-ePTFE barrier membranes. Tetracycline coating was performed by placing ePTFE membranes first in a 5% tridodecylmethylammonium chloride solution and then in a basic 3% tetracycline solution. Microbiological examination included conventional culture and DNA probe analyses. Barrier membranes were removed 6 weeks after insertion.

RESULTS

At baseline, the periodontal lesion depth averaged 8.0 mm in the ePTFE treated group and 7.4 mm in the T-ePTFE group. At 1 year post-treatment, the mean gain of probing attachment was 1.9 mm in the ePTFE group and 3.3 mm in the T-ePTFE group (P = 0.02). At 3 minutes after membrane placement, suspected periodontal pathogens were detected in several ePTFE membranes but only in one T-ePTFE membrane. At 6 weeks, all membranes showed periodontal pathogens, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium species, Peptostreptococcus micros, Bacteroides forsythus, and motile rods.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the use of tetracycline-coated ePTFE barrier membranes can result in additional gain of clinical periodontal attachment, most likely due to the antimicrobial properties of tetracycline during initial healing.