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Isao Ishikawa

Publications and source records attributed to Isao Ishikawa.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Mechanical stress induces production of angiogenic regulators in cultured human gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: As periodontal tissues are constantly exposed to mechanical stress during mastication, the relationship between mechanical stimulation and biochemical phenomena has been extensively investigated. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to assess the change in the production of angiogenic regulators produced by human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF), cultured on a flexible substrate, before and after application of cyclic tensile stretching. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both cell types were stretched in a Flexercell Strain Unit to 7, 14 and 21% elongation, at a frequency of 12 cycles/min. Medium cultured with HGF or HPLF was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Western blotting of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and in vitro angiogenesis assay. The residual cells were analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for both VEGF and PEDF mRNA expression. RESULTS: Stretching increased the VEGF mRNA level and VEGF secretion in both HGF and HPLF. The concentration of VEGF in the conditioned medium of the stretched HPLF was almost the same as that of stretched HGF. In the in vitro angiogenesis assay, the conditioned medium of HPLF after stretching showed a dramatic increase in tube formation. In contrast, stretched HGF did not show enhanced tube formation, despite the increase in VEGF secretion by stretched HGF. The mRNA levels of PEDF, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, were higher in HGF than HPLF. The protein level of PEDF in HGF was also higher than that in HPLF. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that under mechanical stress HPLF promotes angiogenesis via expression of VEGF, whereas under the same conditions angiogenesis is not promoted in HGF, due to the expression of PEDF.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Effects of the Er:YAG laser irradiation on titanium implant materials and contaminated implant abutment surfaces.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the morphological changes and temperature increases of the titanium after Er:YAG laser irradiation, and also to investigate the effect of this laser on debridement of contaminated healing abutments. BACKGROUND DATA: Mechanical instruments have been used for the cleaning of implant abutment surfaces, however, most of them are not appropriate for the application to titanium surface. Recently, the Er:YAG laser has been expected to have a promising ability for the debridement of implant surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments were composed of three parts. At first, ten titanium round plates were exposed to the Er:YAG laser irradiation at 30-200 mJ/pulse and the surface changes were observed by stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. Secondly, the surface temperature changes of 60 titanium plates during and after Er:YAG laser irradiation at 30 and 50 mJ/pulse were measured by thermographic equipment. At last, calculus on the surface of six contaminated healing abutments was removed by Er:YAG laser or ultrasonic scaler, and the treated surfaces were examined by stereomicroscope. RESULTS: Under 50 mJ/pulse, distinct morphological changes were not observed and the elevation of surface temperature was minimal, especially in the use of water-cooling. The Er:YAG laser at 30 mJ/pulse and 30 Hz with water spray was capable of effectively removing plaque and calculus on the implant abutments without injuring their surfaces. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the Er:YAG laser can be a novel technical modality for the debridement of implant abutment surface.

Dental Abutments↗
PubMed2003

Application of terminal RFLP analysis to characterize oral bacterial flora in saliva of healthy subjects and patients with periodontitis.

Terminal restriction fragment-length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis was applied to characterize oral bacterial flora in saliva from 18 healthy subjects and 18 patients with periodontitis. The 16S rRNA genes (rDNAs) of oral bacteria and spirochaetes in saliva were amplified by PCR with a 6'carboxy-fluorescein (6-FAM)-labelled universal forward primer (27F) and a universal reverse primer (1492R) or the Spirochaeta-selective reverse primer. The 16S rDNAs were digested with restriction enzymes with 4 bp recognition sites (HhaI or MspI) and analysed by using an automated DNA sequencer. T-RFLP patterns were numerically analysed using a computer program. From analysis of the oral bacterial community, patterns derived from periodontally healthy subjects and patients with periodontitis were grouped into different clusters, though with some uncertainty. Samples from patients with periodontitis tended to cluster into their respective types (aggressive and chronic periodontitis), although this was not very clear. Analysis of spirochaetal community using T-RFLP showed that the patterns derived from patients with periodontitis were grouped more as compared with the analysis of the oral bacterial community. These results suggest that samples from patients with periodontitis contain an unexpected diversity. T-RFLP patterns of 16S rDNAs from saliva samples of two periodontally healthy subjects over a 5-week period showed host-specific relatively stable oral bacterial flora. Our study indicates that T-RFLP analysis is useful for the assessment of diversity of oral bacterial flora and rapid comparison of the community structure between subjects with and without periodontitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cloning of the Tannerella forsythensis (Bacteroides forsythus) siaHI gene and purification of the sialidase enzyme.

Tannerella forsythensis (previously named Bacteroides forsythus) is a Gram-negative, anaerobic, fusiform bacterium that is a primary or secondary aetiological agent in periodontal disease in humans. T. forsythensis expresses several putative virulence factors, including a sialidase; however, there has been no molecular genetic characterization of this enzyme. A sialidase clone (pHI-1) was screened from a total of 455 recombinant clones of a genomic DNA library using the 2'- (4-methylumbelliferyl)-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (MUNeuAc) filter-paper spot assay. The sialidase gene ORF (siaHI) consists of a 1395 bp coding sequence and encodes a protein with 465 amino acids with an overall molecular mass of 52 kDa. The sialidase does not have sequence similarity to any other bacterial sialidase. The entire sialidase ORF was expressed in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the sialidase was purified from the type strain of T. forsythensis and from a recombinant clone, pHI-1 : 1, and was analysed using a non-denaturing gel, revealing that the enzyme preparations were respectively separated as two major bands and as a single band. Southern blot hybridization analysis revealed similar patterns of siaHI-hybridizing bands among clinical isolates of T. forsythensis from periodontitis patients. This is the first study on the cloning and expression of a T. forsythensis sialidase gene and the purification of the SiaHI enzyme from T. forsythensis ATCC 43037(T) and recombinant E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

S100A4: a novel negative regulator of mineralization and osteoblast differentiation.

S100A4 is an intracellular calcium-binding protein expressed by osteoblastic cells. However, its roles in bone physiology are unknown. Because before matrix mineralization, its expression is markedly diminished, we hypothesized that S100A4 negatively regulates the mineralization process. In this study, we investigated the effects of the inhibition of S100A4 synthesis on osteoblast differentiation and in vitro mineralized nodule formation. Inhibition of S100A4 synthesis was achieved by an antisense approach in the mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1. Cell clones that synthesized low levels of S100A4 (AS clones) produced markedly increased number of mineralized nodules at much earlier stages in comparison with controls as demonstrated by Alizarin red S and von Kossa staining. The expression of type I collagen (COLI) and osteopontin (OPN) increased in AS clones compared with controls. Bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OCN), molecules associated with mineralization and markers for mature osteoblastic phenotype, were expressed in AS clones before their detection in controls. Because S100A4 was not localized in the nucleus of MC3T3-E1 cells and AS clones, it is unlikely that S100A4 directly regulates the expression of these genes. Moreover, the expression of Cbfal/Osf-2 and Osx, transcription factors necessary for the expression of osteoblast-associated genes, remained unchanged in AS clones, indicating that S100A4 may be downstream to these transcription factors. These findings indicate that S100A4 is a novel negative regulator of matrix mineralization likely by modulating the process of osteoblast differentiation.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2003

High prevalence of Helicobacter pylori detected by PCR in the oral cavities of periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori has been associated with the development of peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Although it may be transmitted through the oral cavity, it is unknown whether the oral cavity acts as a permanent reservoir for this bacterium. The purpose of this study was to use nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to clarify whether the oral cavity acts as a reservoir for H. pylori. METHODS: The existence of H. pylori in the oral cavity was determined by nested PCR in 57 subjects and by culture method in 18 subjects. The presence of periodontopathic bacteria was also determined by 16S rRNA-based PCR method. RESULTS: Although H. pylori was rarely detected in the oral cavity by culture technique, it was frequently detected (35.1%) by nested PCR in the oral cavity, especially among periodontitis patients who had the bacterium in the gastrointestinal tract (46.4%). Among the subjects who harbored H. pylori in the stomach or duodenum, 41.2% of patients with periodontal pockets > or = 4 mm and 9.1% of subjects without pockets showed H. pylori in dental plaque, although a statistically significant difference was not observed. One patient who had periodontal pockets retained H. pylori in the oral cavity even after eradication of the bacterium from the stomach and duodenum. Most (8/10) of the patients who had H. pylori in dental plaque harbored Bacteroides forsythus in their oral cavities. CONCLUSION: Close attention should be given to periodontitis patients who harbor H. pylori in the oral cavity.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗
PubMed2003

Prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria in aggressive periodontitis patients in a Japanese population.

BACKGROUND: Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is considered a major etiologic agent of aggressive periodontitis. Other periodontopathic bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis are also suspected of participating in aggressive periodontitis, although the evidence is controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of periodontopathic bacteria and to clarify the microbiological features of aggressive periodontitis in Japanese patients. METHODS: Subgingival plaque was collected from 50 aggressive periodontitis (AgP) patients (localized 10, generalized 40). Samples from 35 generalized chronic periodontitis (CP) patients and 18 healthy subjects were examined as controls. Plaque samples were examined using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. RESULTS: The prevalence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was relatively low in the localized (20%) and generalized (17.5%) AgP patients, with no significant difference observed in detection frequencies between AgP and the control groups (CP 8.6%, healthy 0%). On the other hand, Tannerella forsythensis (formerly Bacteroides forsythus), Campylobacter rectus, P. gingivalis, and Treponema denticola were frequently detected in localized as well as generalized aggressive periodontitis patients. The prevalence and proportion of P. gingivalis correlated with severity of clinical attachment loss in both localized and generalized aggressive periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: T. forsythensis, C. rectus, P. gingivalis, and T. denticola were the predominant periodontopathic bacteria of aggressive periodontitis patients in Japan. Although A. actinomycetem- comitans was also detected in AgP patients, the prevalence of this bacterium was much lower than that of P. gingivalis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Novel isolation of alkaline phosphatase-positive subpopulation from periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) are the cells essential for periodontal regeneration. PDLFs comprise a heterogeneous cell population and consist of several cell subsets that differ in their function. It is known that PDLFs produce osteoblast-related extracellular matrix proteins and show higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity compared with gingival fibroblasts (GFs), implying that PDLFs have osteogenic characterisitics. The aim of the present study was to isolate the osteogenic population of PDLFs according to their expression of ALP. METHODS: PDLFs and gingival fibroblasts were separated into two populations, ALP-positive and ALP-negative, with an immunomagnetic method using a monoclonal antibody against human bone type ALP and magnetic beads conjugated with a secondary antibody. Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) receptor and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor was investigated in these two populations. Osteoblast-related molecules, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein; ALP activity; and effect of bFGF on proliferation were also compared. RESULTS: Effective separation was confirmed in both PDLFs and GFs by flow cytometry. The expression of FGF receptor (FGFR) and TGF-beta receptor was significantly higher in ALP-positive PDLFs than in ALP-negative PDLFs. ALP-positive PDLFs also expressed higher mRNA levels of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein compared with ALP-negative PDLFs. The mitogenic effect of bFGF on ALP-positive PDLFs was greater than that of ALP-negative PDLFs. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that osteoblastic and/or cementoblastic PDLF subsets could be isolated from the PDLF populations using an immunomagnetic method. Magnetic isolation of PDLFs may be a useful tool to obtain the cells which will potentially induce mineralization on the root surface.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2003

Effects of Er:YAG laser on periodontal therapy.

The use of the laser in dentistry has been widening due to its increasing use in surgery and medicine. In the field of periodontology, the most commonly used lasers have been CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers. According to the last reviews reporting the use of lasers in periodontal therapy, these lasers were considered unsuitable for dental treatment, due to various shortcomings, such as the carbonization and severe thermal damages caused on the target and surrounding tissues, and therefore their use has been confined to soft tissue procedures. Technological advances and improvements have increased the choices of the available laser systems. Among them, Er:YAG lasers seem to be of promising use. The Er:YAG laser is a solid-state crystal laser operating in the infrared wavelength (2,940 nm). Due to its high absorbability in water and hydroxyapatite, several studies have shown the effectiveness of this laser for both hard and soft tissue ablation, and its bactericidal effects with less or even no pain under clinical applications. The variety of the potential applications for this laser has been studied and the interest about its use in dental practice has increased among practitioners. This review includes studies regarding the use of Er:YAG laser on hard tissue procedures, such as calculus removal and osseous surgery as well as soft tissue management, like gingivectomy, gingival curettage and melanin removal.

Absorption↗
PubMed2003

[Skeletal and mandibular bone mineral density in dentate and edentulous postmenopausal women].

Tooth loss is one of risk factors for osteoporosis. Reversibly osteoporotic condition is one of putative risk factors for tooth loss. The balance of bone remodeling in jawbone shift to absorption in systemically osteoporotic individuals and result in enhancement of tooth loss. The presence of tooth and skeletal and mandibular bone metabolism may relate to one another. We investigated the relationship between the presence of the tooth and skeletal and mandibular bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Periodontally healthy and edentulous subjects participated in this study. BMD of the lumbar spine and mandibular bone was determined. The results suggest that the presence of tooth contribute to maintain the BMD of mandibular cortical bone in postmenopausal women. Direct masticatory forces via natural teeth may influence the mandibular cortical bone metabolism and if tooth loss occurs, the bone metabolism may be regulated similar to other skeletal bone.

English Abstract↗
PubMed2002

Detection of novel oral phylotypes associated with periodontitis.

A phylogenetic approach based on 16S rRNA (rDNA) has been recently applied to investigate the diversity of cultivable and uncultivable species in the human oral cavity without cultivation. In a previous study [Sakamoto et al. (2000) Microbiol. Immunol. 44, 643-652], we identified a number of novel oral phylotypes, representing as yet uncultured organisms. The purpose of this study was to design specific PCR primers for five phylotypes AP12, AP21, AP24, AP50, and RP58, which are deeply branched particularly in the phylogenetic tree, and determine the prevalence of these phylotypes in 45 patients with periodontitis and 18 healthy subjects. The specificity of each primer was validated by the sequence analysis of PCR products obtained from saliva and subgingival plaque samples. Among phylotypes tested, phylotype AP24, which is closely related to oral clone DA014 reported previously [Paster et al. (2001) J. Bacteriol. 183, 3770-3783], was significantly associated with saliva and subgingival plaque samples from patients with periodontitis (P<0.01), but the difference was not statistically significant in the presence of other phylotypes. These data suggest that phylotype AP24 may play an important role in periodontal disease.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Somatic von Hippel-Lindau disease gene mutation in clear-cell renal carcinomas associated with end-stage renal disease/acquired cystic disease of the kidney.

It has been documented that renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) occur frequently in patients treated with long-term dialysis, especially in cases of end-stage renal disease (ESRD)/acquired cystic disease of the kidney (ACDK). To address the molecular pathogenesis of ESRD/ACDK-associated RCCs, we examined 14 RCCs (7 clear-cell and 7 papillary carcinomas) in patients receiving dialysis for somatic mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL) gene as well as of the tyrosine kinase domain of the MET oncogene. Direct sequencing analyses revealed that three tumors exhibited VHL frameshifts (618delA, 386-395del10-bp, and 723-724insTC). One of the VHL mutated tumors showed additional loss of heterozygosity at the VHL gene locus. Histopathologic and clinical data demonstrated that the three tumors having VHL mutations were clear-cell RCCs occurring in ESRD with 55, 106, and 156 months of dialysis history, respectively. We did not find any tumors with mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of the MET. These results demonstrated that the VHL tumor-suppressor gene is also involved in a subset of clear-cell RCCs occurring in ESRD/ACDK, as in the case of sporadic clear-cell RCCs. However, mutations of the MET oncogene could not be found in the seven ESRD/ACDK-associated papillary RCCs examined.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed2002

Morphological analysis of cementum and root dentin after Er:YAG laser irradiation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the morphology of cementum and root dentin after Er:YAG laser irradiation with and without water coolant, compared to that after CO(2) laser irradiation and an untreated surface. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten extracted healthy human teeth were used. Er:YAG and CO(2) lasers were applied with energy outputs of 0.4 W, with and without coolant and 0.5 W, without coolant, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed at high and ultra-high magnifications. RESULTS: The surface of cementum was micro-irregular with numerous projections while that of dentin appeared scaly after Er:YAG laser irradiation. Unlike after CO(2) laser treatment, no major melting or cracking was observed with Er:YAG laser treatment. The use of water spray produced fine micro-irregularities without attached debris. Ultra-high magnification revealed similar microparticles-composed aspects for both cementum and dentin. However, the more porous structure of the surface was observed after Er:YAG laser irradiation without water spray. CONCLUSIONS: Cementum and root dentin presented distinct micro-roughness after Er:YAG laser irradiation, possibly due to structural differences in the original tissue. However, under ultra-high magnifications, both cementum and dentin presented similar characteristics of the irradiated surface. In addition, the use of water spray during laser irradiation minimized thermal effects and resulted in a cleaner and less porous surface.

Dental Cementum↗
PubMed2002

Ultrastructural analysis of bone tissue irradiated by Er:YAG Laser.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of erbium:yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser has been suggested for bone ablation, however, little is known about the nature of the tissue after irradiation. This study was aimed to analyze the ultrastructure of bone tissue treated with Er:YAG laser, as compared to those treated with CO(2) laser and bur drilling. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parietal bones of Wistar rats were treated and analyzed by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction analysis and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). RESULTS: This study demonstrated that Er:YAG laser irradiation resulted in a very thin changed layer of approximately 30 microm thickness, which consisted of two distinct sub-layers: a superficial, greatly altered layer and a deep, less affected layer. CONCLUSIONS: The major changes found on bone surface after Er:YAG laser irradiation consisted of micro-cracking, disorganization, and slight recrystallization of the original apatites and reduction of surrounding organic matrix.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Binary regulation of interleukin (IL)-6 production by EP1 and EP2/EP4 subtypes of PGE2 receptors in IL-1beta-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exerts its biological actions via EP receptors, which are divided into four subtypes of EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. In the present study, we investigated whether PGE2 regulated interleukin (IL)-6 production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) stimulated with IL-1beta and if so, which subtype(s) of PGE2 receptors were involved. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, significantly enhanced IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production by HGF, although it completely inhibited IL-1beta-induced PGE2 production. Exogenous PGE2 suppressed the IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that mRNA of EP1, EP2 and EP4, but not EP3 mRNA, was expressed in unstimulated and IL-1beta-stimulated HGF. 11-deoxy-PGE1, a selective EP2/EP3/EP4 agonist, and butaprost, a selective EP2 agonist, inhibited IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production, although butaprost was less potent than 11-deoxy-PGE1. 17-phenyl-omega-trinor PGE2, an EP1 agonist, enhanced IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production. Based on these data, we suggest that PGE2 can up- or downregulate IL-1beta-induced IL-6 production via EP1 receptors or via EP2/EP4 receptors in HGF, respectively. Expression and function of EP1, EP2 and EP4 receptors in HGF may play critical roles in controlling inflammatory periodontal conditions.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed2002

Upregulation of co-stimulatory molecule expression and dendritic cell marker (CD83) on B cells in periodontal disease.

T cells and their cytokines are well known for their important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. To date, the role of antigen presenting cells (APCs), which are known to be critical in the regulation of T cell response, has been poorly investigated in periodontitis. In this study, we analyzed the expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) and CD83, which is a marker of mature dendritic cells, on gingival cells that were isolated from severe periodontitis tissues, with the use of flow cytometry. Significant upregulation of CD86 and CD83 expression was detected in periodontitis lesions, and most of this occurred on B cells. In vitro peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures showed that stimulation with different periodontopathic bacteria, that included Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, and Actinomyces viscosus, upregulated both CD86 and CD83 expression on B cells. Therefore, the presence of plaque bacteria may be responsible for the enhanced expression seen in vivo on gingival B cells. APC function by bacterial-activated B cells was further investigated using allogeneic mixed leukocyte reactions. After 24 h culture with either A. actinomycetemcomitans or P. gingivalis, these activated B cells performed as potent APCs in mixed leukocyte reactions, and they stimulated T cells to produce high levels of gamma interferon and minimal interleukin-5. In conclusion, periodontopathic bacterial-induced B cell activation with upregulation of CD86 and CD83 may be associated with enhanced APC function. The results of this study suggest, therefore, that infiltrated gingival B cells have a possible role as APCs in the regulation and maintenance of local T cell response in periodontitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Simple and rapid detection of serum antibody to periodontopathic bacteria by dot blotting.

The aim of this study was to detect the specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against periodontopathic bacteria by dot blotting. In the procedure used, bacterial preparations were blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane. After blocking the nonspecific binding sites, the diluted serum was blotted onto the preparations. The membrane was immersed in secondary antibodies and then in substrate buffer. The colored blots were then evaluated. To test the reliability of this procedure, 20 serum samples were examined for antibody: ten for anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis antibody, and the other ten for anti-Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans antibody. Five samples out of each set of ten had previously been confirmed as having high enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) titers to the antigen, while the other five had been confirmed as having average titer levels. Both whole-cell sonic extracts and fimbriae of P. gingivalis were used as antigens in the dot blotting, in order to compare their use as antigens in assays of the patients' sera. ELISA was also used to measure anti-P. gingivalis antibody titers. For the measurement of IgG antibodies against A. actinomycetemcomitans, formalin-killed whole cells were used. Fifty serum samples were examined for IgG antibodies against A. actinomycetemcomitans by dot blotting and ELISA. With both antigens, after 4 h, coloration of blots was more clearly visible for the high-titer sera than for the average-titer sera. The intensity of coloration of the blots for P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans showed correlation with the ELISA titers. A particularly significant correlation was shown when P. gingivalis fimbriae were used as antigen. These results suggest that this dot blot method is a simple and rapid means of detection of serum antibodies, and that it shows promise as a chair-side assay method.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗