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Molecular forms and concentration of fibronectin and fibrin in human gingival crevicular fluid before and after periodontal treatment.

A total of 23 periodontitis-affected sites from seven adults was selected for the study. Crevicular fluid (CF) samples were collected with paper strips before treatment (scaling, root planing, and curettage) and 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 days after treatment. Each sample was eluted into sterile saline and two aliquots were drawn for gel electrophoresis: one for fibronectin and one for fibrin analysis. Peptides were transferred to nitrocellulose membranes, and molecules were detected by specific antibodies. The proportions of different molecular forms of fibronectin and fibrin were analyzed by laser densitometry. Plaque Index, Papilla Bleeding Index, and pocket depth were recorded before and 40 days after treatment. Radiologic bone loss was estimated from orthopantomograms. Two days after treatment, an increase was seen in the proportions of intact fibronectin, fibronectin fragments larger than 70 kDa, and fibrin-positive material with a greater molecular mass than intact fibrin. Between days 5 and 10, the proportions of these large fragments decreased. The highest fibronectin and fibrin concentrations were seen 10 days after treatment. These changes probably reflect degradation of the subgingival fibrin clot formed after treatment, and indicate resolution of the clot during the first 10 days of healing. This agrees well with previous observations of CF plasmin activity and concentration of collagen synthesis markers in CF after periodontal treatment, and with the histologic changes seen during periodontal healing. Results of the present study, together with earlier reported findings of collagen synthesis after periodontal treatment, also support the hypothesis of sequential appearance of fibronectin and collagens during the process of wound healing.

Adult↗

Collagen I carboxyterminal propeptide in human gingival crevicular fluid before and after periodontal treatment.

The amount of procollagen I carboxyterminal propeptide (PICP) in crevicular fluid (CF) was measured in three periodontitis patients. Samples were collected from 29 sites before treatment (scaling, root planing, and curettage) and 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 days after treatment, by placing two paper strips in periodontal pockets for 5 s. The amount of fluid in strips was measured by the Periotron device. Control samples were collected from subjects with minimal gingival inflammation. PICP was extracted into saline solution and determined by a radioimmunologic method. Plaque index, papilla bleeding index, and pocket depth were recorded before and 40 days after treatment. The CF PICP mean concentration was 4.2 mg/l in the pretreatment samples. Five days after treatment a statistically significant increase in PICP concentration was seen in all subjects. The peak appeared on days 5 or 10 in 27 sites. The mean peak PICP concentrations of the subjects were 5-10 times higher than the pretreatment values. Twenty days after treatment, mean PICP concentration decreased to pretreatment level. PICP concentrations did not correlate with the clinical parameters. In control samples PICP amounts were below the detection limit. CF PICP is a new marker of type I collagen metabolism in periodontal tissues. It was concluded that elevated PICP concentrations in CF after periodontal treatment reflected increased type I collagen synthesis in periodontal tissues and that the peak in type I collagen synthesis takes place 5-10 days after treatment.

Adult↗

Identification of polymorphonuclear leukocyte collagenase and gelatinase activities in mouthrinse samples: correlation with periodontal disease activity in adult and juvenile periodontitis.

In previous studies, elevations in the levels of active and latent collagenase in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) have been correlated positively with periodontal disease activity. To provide a simple diagnostic approach for testing collagenolytic activity, the feasibility of using a 3.0 ml water mouthrinse to collect GCF simultaneously from all sites in the mouth was assessed. Patients with adult periodontitis (AP, n = 23) and local juvenile periodontitis (LJP, n = 7) were sampled before periodontal therapy and some (12 AP, 4 LJP) were also assessed longitudinally after scaling and root planing, administration of antibiotics, and following periodontal surgery. Healthy patients (n = 19) were used as controls. The levels of active collagenase, procollagenase, and collagenase inhibitor activity were determined by functional assays and quantitated after SDS-PAGE and fluorography. Gelatinase and progelatinase were assayed by enzymography on gelatin-substrate gels. Active collagenase levels were found to be significantly higher (14- to 20-fold) in AP and LJP patients compared to controls, whereas matrix metalloproteinase activity was not detected in mouthrinses from edentulous patients. Collagenase inhibitor levels were generally low in all groups of subjects tested. Following clinical treatment the levels of active collagenase and gelatinase were reduced; the reduction was significant for active collagenase after tetracycline treatment and scaling in LJP patients. Of the clinical indices recorded (gingival index, plaque index, and pocket depth) there were no significant correlations with enzyme activity but similar trends were observed between the changes in active collagenase and gingival index. In patients with untreated periodontal disease, collagenase occurred predominantly in the active form. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and p-aminophenylmercuric acetate (AMPA) were equally effective as activators of the latent collagenase, indicating that the collagenase was derived from PMNs, which were also the source of gelatinase. The results of these studies indicate that measurement of active collagenase and gelatinase in mouthrinse samples is potentially useful in the diagnosis and assessment of periodontal disease activity.

Adolescent↗

Topical chemotherapy in human periodontitis using a new controlled-release insert containing ofloxacin. I. Microbiological observation.

The recognition that destructive periodontal diseases may be caused by specific microorganisms in periodontal pockets has led to an increased interest in and usage of antimicrobial agents in periodontal therapy. Recently, a new controlled-release insert containing ofloxacin, a synthetic antibiotic, has been developed. In this study, the controlled-release insert (PT-01) was microbiologically evaluated in combination with or without subgingival mechanical debridement. PT-01 was applied in the periodontal pockets of 27 patients with chronic periodontitis. Three sites with a deep probing pocket depth (greater than or equal to 5 mm) were randomly selected in different quadrants of each patient, and were assigned into three groups, i.e., PT-01 applied (T), placebo applied (P) and control sites (C). Periodontal treatments consisted of supragingival scaling with oral hygiene instruction for the first 2 weeks followed by root planing and subgingival scaling PT-01 was applied weekly on day 0 to 35, and the subgingival plaque samples from each site were collected on d 0, 14, 21 and 42. The dynamics of the subgingival microflora was investigated by dark field microscopy and by anaerobic and aerobic cultivation. In the supragingival scaling period, significant reduction in percentages of spirochetes and motile rods and significant increase of the percentage of coccoid cells were observed only at T sites. In addition, the total viable counts of bacteria, black-pigmented Bacteroides and Fusobacterium species were significantly reduced at T sites. After mechanical subgingival debridement, significant shifts in the proportion and reduction of the viable counts in the subgingival microflora were found at all sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Topical↗

Multicenter evaluation of tetracycline fiber therapy. III. Microbiological response.

In a multicenter study of the effects of tetracycline (TC) fiber therapy, subgingival plaque samples were tested for 6 probable periodontal pathogens by DNA probe analysis. Levels of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia (Bacteroides intermedius), and Wolinella recta were quantitatively determined in samples taken at baseline, and immediately after TC fiber removal, control fiber removal, and scaling and root planing. At untreated sites, samples were taken at baseline and 10 d later. Specificity of the DNA probe method was evaluated by testing the hybridization to 83 reference cultures. Interaction of the F. nucleatum probe with Fusobacterium periodonticum, and of the W. recta probe with Wolinella curva were the only cross-hybridizations noted. Species were detected at an average sensitivity of 2.9 x 10(4) organisms per sample. Approximately 70% of sites were initially infected with P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum; 50% with P. intermedia and E. corrodens; infections with W. recta and A. actinomycetemcomitans were less common (36% and 11% respectively). The average numbers of organisms found in the plaque samples were highest for F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, and P. intermedia (ca. 10(6)). E. corrodens, W. recta, and A. actinomycetemcomitans occurred at 10-fold lower levels. Bacterial numbers and proportions of species in subgingival sites from the five centers did not differ appreciably. Both TC fiber therapy and scaling decreased the number of sites infected with all the monitored species. The bacterial composition at untreated sites and at sites where control fibers were placed was not significantly altered. The percentage reduction of the number of sites with detectable infection varied with each species: from 86% with W. recta to approximately 40% with P. gingivalis. Significant reduction of pocket depth and bleeding occurred at TC fiber-treated sites infected with each of the species. Significant attachment level gain occurred only at sites initially infected with P. gingivalis and treated with TC fibers.

Actinobacillus↗

Tetracycline fiber therapy monitored by DNA probe and cultural methods.

Oligonucleotide DNA probe and selective cultural methods were compared in their ability to monitor 6 putative periodontal pathogens in a study evaluating local tetracycline fiber therapy. Subgingival plaque was sampled from 4 sites in each of 20 subjects. Samples were taken before and after therapy from sites assigned to the following test groups: tetracycline (TC) fiber, scaling and root planing, control fiber, and untreated. Each sample was analyzed by both DNA probe and cultural methods. Total anaerobic cultivable counts, Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia (Bacteroides intermedius) were enumerated on nonselective blood agar. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Wolinella recta were isolated on selective media. TC fiber therapy and scaling reduced total cultivable counts from an initial value of 1 x 10(7) to approximately 2 x 10(5) following therapy. Total counts at untreated sites and at sites with control fibers did not change from baseline. A. actinomycetemcomitans and E. corrodens were detected more frequently by the cultural method; the other monitored species were detected more frequently by DNA probes than by the cultural methods. Agreements between methods were: 77.2% for A. actinomycetemcomitans; 72.2% for P. intermedia; 75.6% for E. corrodens; 39.4% for F. nucleatum; 35.6% for P. gingivalis; and 68.9% for W. recta. Limitations of the selective cultural methods used probably contributed to the discrepancies for P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. DNA probe and cultural methods indicated comparable levels of suppression of the monitored species following TC fiber therapy and scaling. The microbiota of control fiber and untreated sites did not appear to be significantly altered by either method.

Actinobacillus↗

Multicenter evaluation of tetracycline fiber therapy: I. Experimental design, methods, and baseline data.

The study design and baseline characteristics of a multicenter trial to test the effectiveness and safety of locally delivered tetracycline for treatment of adult periodontitis are described. Local delivery was provided by 0.5 mm diameter ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer fibers loaded 25% with tetracycline hydrochloride which were placed into periodontal pockets and maintained by an adhesive for 10 (+/- 2) days. A total of 113 subjects (56 male and 57 female; mean age 49.3 yr) at five centers participated in the study. Subjects were selected who had 4 nonadjacent teeth with 6-10 mm pockets that bled on probing. The selected sites in each subject were randomly assigned to 4 test groups: tetracycline fiber, control fiber, scaling with root planing, or untreated. A balanced experimental design was thereby established in which each subject contributed equally by providing 4 clinically comparable sites for evaluation. To provide a more specific model for testing periodontitis therapy, gingivitis was treated prior to the initiation of the study by prophylaxis with supragingival calculus removal and home care instruction. Clinical response variables measured were pocket depth reduction, attachment level gain and bleeding on controlled-force probing measured at baseline, 30 d, and 60 d. Levels of 6 bacterial species selected as probable periodontal pathogens were measured by DNA probe analysis of plaque samples. The design of this study provided several unique analytical opportunities. Controls included a comparison with conventional treatment, analysis of vehicle effects, and effects at untreated sites. Comparison of the test group with controls permitted evaluation of the principal variables that could effect interpretation of results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Issues in the evaluation of clinical trials of periodontitis: a clinical perspective.

The goals of clinical trials designed to establish claims for equivalency or superiority of treatment for periodontitis must be clearly stated and defined in terms of measurable and meaningful response variables. It is suggested that these clinical trials use designs that compare new treatment methods to basic periodontal therapy which consists of thorough scaling and root planing, oral hygiene instruction, and regular maintenance care. The primary response variable should be clinical attachment level. It is important to document changes in probing depth since this is a meaningful measure to many clinicians. Gingival inflammation and bleeding should be used as secondary response variables because these are not necessarily indicative of progressive periodontal destruction. Radiographic measures of disease may be useful as primary response variables if safe, reproducible and valid methods of measuring change are utilized. Microbiological monitoring should be a secondary response variable because of numerous questions concerning sampling methodology, quantitative expression of data, and meaningful interpretation in terms of relevance to disease activity. The length of periodontitis trials should be set at a minimum of 9 months if claims of superiority or equivalency are made compared to basic periodontal therapy. Calibration trials should be included and measurement error should be expressed in terms that are meaningful to the clinician while retaining statistical validity. Statistical methods for determining change should take into account site and subject heterogeneity, bursts of change and gradual change over time. It is important that statistical techniques be used that detect change as early as possible and that appropriate consideration be given to the clinical implications of the type, magnitude and duration of change in outcome variables.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Proposed guidelines for American Dental Association acceptance of products for professional, non-surgical treatment of adult periodontitis. Task Force on Design and Analysis in Dental and Oral Research.

Guidelines are suggested for determining efficacy of products to supplement scaling and root planing in professional, non-surgical treatment of adult periodontitis. They result from an extended process including a conference on clinical trials in gingivitis and periodontitis, a subsequent workshop, and commentary from industrial, academic, professional and governmental members of the periodontal research community on two drafts. Recommendations are made in the broad areas of basic study design, subject and periodontal site selection, clinical management, choice of outcome variables, statistical summarization and analysis, and criteria for acceptance. Prominent dissenting views, with justifications for positions taken here, are also provided. Groundwork is laid for possible future guidelines addressing products for primary prevention or over-the-counter uses, or for determining superiority or equivalence of competing products. However, issues are identified which require further exploration before responsible and widely acceptable recommendations can be made in these areas. The guidelines suggested here are meant to form the basis of an evolving document rather than a static standard. It is suggested that they be reviewed frequently in the light of improvement in the technology available for periodontal research, and the emergence of products representing new approaches to periodontal therapy.

Adult↗

Initial antimicrobial effect of controlled-release doxycycline in subgingival sites.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the ability of a 10% doxycycline hyclate controlled-release polymer (Atridox) to suppress periodontopathic bacteria when placed subgingivally following scaling and root planing (Sc/Rp). METHODS: Eight males and seven females, mean age 48 years, with moderate to advanced periodontitis participated in the study. In each patient, bilateral periodontal pockets probing 6-7 mm were randomly assigned to treatment by Sc/Rp + doxycycline polymer or by Sc/Rp alone. Subgingival placement of doxycycline polymer was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sc/Rp was performed with hand instruments for at least 10 min in each study tooth. Subgingival samples were collected by paper-points at baseline, at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks post-treatment. Culture methodology was used to isolate and identify putative periodontal pathogens, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Dialister pneumosintes, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia/Prevotella nigrescens, Campylobacter species, Eubacterium species, Fusobacterium species, Peptostreptococcus micros, Eikenella corrodens, Staphylococcus species, enteric gram-negative rods, beta-hemolytic streptococci and yeasts. The microbiologic examination was carried out blindly. Microbiological data were analyzed using a General Linear Model Analysis of Variance for within and between group effects. RESULTS: Sites receiving Sc/Rp + doxycycline polymer and sites receiving Sc/Rp alone exhibited similar levels of periodontal pathogens at baseline and did not differ significantly in total viable counts and proportional recovery of periodontopathic bacteria post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled-release doxycycline placed in moderate to deep periodontal pockets caused no significant additional reduction in the subgingival pathogenic microbiota compared to thorough Sc/Rp alone. Since controlled-release doxycycline may not significantly suppress several subgingival pathogenic microorganisms and seems to possess no distinct advantage over broad-spectra, safe and inexpensive antiseptics, the rationale for its employment in periodontal therapy remains unclear.

Adult↗

Longitudinal analysis of metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and clinical parameters in gingival crevicular fluid from periodontitis-affected patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to improve the assessment of the periodontal disease status through measurements of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissular inhibitors (TIMPs) in the gingival crevicular fluid from patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Gingival crevicular fluid samples from patients (n = 13) were taken from 60 sites initially, and from 51 and 41 sites, respectively, 3 and 6 months after scaling and root planing. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were also taken from healthy subjects (n = 11, 24 sites). The presence of MMP-9 and MMP-8 was assessed by zymography and immunowestern blotting, respectively. The actual MMP activity (gelatinase and collagenase) was measured using the fluorogenic substrate assay. TIMP-1 and -2 levels were measured by immunodot blot. RESULTS: The fluorogenic substrate assay determinations showed higher MMP activity in sites with probing depth > or = 4 mm, with significant reduction post-treatment. Gelatinase activity followed by zymography consisted mainly of MMP-9. A different pattern of MMP-8 in control and patient sites was found. Controls only showed species of a partially active form (69 kDa), whereas patient sites showed a high frequency of the active form (56 kDa), and in some cases the latent form (85 kDa) was also observed. The active form reduced its frequency in sites with probing depth > or = 4 mm. TIMP-1 and -2 levels in patients were significantly lower than in controls, and after treatment the recovery of TIMP-1 level similar to control was observed. CONCLUSION: Significant correlations between the severity of the periodontal disease and the actual MMP activity, the active form of MMP-8 and the low level of both TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were found.

Adult↗

Periodontitis lesions are a source of salivary cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus.

AIM: Several herpesvirus species can be detected in periodontal pockets and saliva. This study compared human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA copy counts in periodontitis sites and in whole saliva, and evaluated the potential of periodontal therapy to reduce the salivary level of the two viruses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 20 systemically healthy periodontitis patients, 21-56 years of age, participated in the study. All 20 patients were examined at baseline, and seven patients also at 3 months after periodontal therapy. Treatment included oral hygiene instruction, scaling and root planing, and surgery. Clinical parameters were evaluated using established methods. In each patient, virological samples were collected from one periodontal pocket of 6-10 mm probing depth, from the adjacent inflamed periodontal pocket wall, and from unstimulated whole saliva. Relationships between subgingival, gingival tissue and salivary herpesvirus counts were evaluated using Spearman's and Kendall's rank correlation coefficient tests. The 5'-nuclease (TaqMan) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was employed to quantify genomic copies of periodontal HCMV and EBV. RESULTS: At baseline, the 20 periodontitis patients showed significant positive correlations between gingival tissue and salivary counts of HCMV DNA (p=0.003) and EBV DNA (p=0.045). Periodontal pocket depth was positively correlated with salivary EBV DNA counts (p=0.002). Periodontal therapy reduced average full-mouth periodontal pocket depth from 4.6 mm to 1.4 mm, plaque index from 2.1 to 0.9, and gingival index from 2.1 to 0.4. Following treatment, HCMV DNA counts decreased 37.5 fold in subgingival sites and 64.6 fold in saliva, and EBV DNA counts decreased 5.7 fold in subgingival sites and 12.9 fold in saliva. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides compelling evidence of a periodontitis source for salivary HCMV and EBV. The potential of periodontal therapy to decrease herpesvirus salivary counts may help diminish herpesvirus transmission from person to person and herpesvirus-related diseases in exposed individuals. Further research is warranted to determine the relationship between periodontal herpesvirus counts and the risk of viral transmission to close acquaintances.

Adult↗

The effect of topical doxycycline usage on gingival crevicular fluid MMP-8 levels of chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical subgingival application of doxycycline hyclate (DH) gel adjunctive to non-surgical periodontal therapy on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 levels in chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients. Forty teeth of 10 chronic periodontitis patients and 32 teeth of eight aggressive periodontitis patients were screened for 6 months. Scaling and root planing (SRP) was applied to the control sites and DH gel adjunctive to SRP was applied to the test sites of each patient simultaneously. GCF MMP-8 levels were analysed at baseline, 7 days; and at 1, 3 and 6 months by Sandwich Elisa Method. At 1, 3 and 6 months, probing depth (P < 0.0051) and plaque scores and bleeding on probing values (P = 0.000) significantly decreased in each group when compared with the baseline, but there was no statistically significant difference between the test and control sites. GCF MMP-8 levels reduced presenting statistically significant differences on 7 days, 1, 3 and 6 months in four of the groups (P < 0.05); however, intergroup differences were not statistically significant. Developing functional and immunological-based chair-side MMP tests might serve as useful adjunctive diagnostic tools when monitoring the effects of DH gel application.

Acute Disease↗

Adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline in the management of institutionalised geriatric patients with chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD; 20 mg doxycycline twice daily) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of moderate-severe chronic periodontitis (CP) in institutionalised elderly patients aged 65 years or older. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that SDD is of clinical benefit in the treatment of CP. However, the benefits of SDD in geriatric populations (65+ years) have not been determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 9-month, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted. 24 institutionalised geriatric patients (65 years or older) with evidence of CP manifested by baseline clinical attachment levels (CAL) 5-9 mm, probing depths (PD) 4-9 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recruited. At baseline, patients were treated by a standardised episode of SRP, and randomised to receive either adjunctive SDD or placebo. Full mouth PD and CAL were measured using the manual UNC-15 periodontal probe at 3, 6, and 9 months post-baseline to assess the response to treatment. Periodontal sites were stratified by baseline PD value: sites with PD 4-5 mm were considered moderately diseased and sites with PD > or = 6 mm severely diseased. RESULTS: The SRP + placebo resulted in PD reductions similar to those reported previously in the literature. At all time-points and in both moderate and deep sites, SRP + SDD resulted in significantly greater PD reductions relative to baseline than SRP + placebo. At month 9, in moderate sites, mean PD reductions of 1.57 +/- 0.11 mm were reported in the adjunctive SDD group, compared with 0.63 +/- 0.11 mm in the adjunctive placebo group (p < 0.001). In deep sites at month 9, mean PD reductions of 3.22 +/- 0.29 mm were reported in the adjunctive SDD group, compared with 0.98 +/- 0.31 mm in the adjunctive placebo group (p < 0.05). Similar improvements were observed for CAL in the SDD group compared with the placebo group. Significantly lower BOP scores were also recorded at month 9 in the SDD group (7.5%) compared with the placebo group (71.2%) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SDD used as an adjunct to SRP provides significant benefit for elderly patients with CP compared with SRP alone.

Aged↗

Clinical trials of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor in human periodontal disease. SDD Clinical Research Team.

After demonstration by Golub et al. of the ability of the tetracyclines to inhibit elevated collagenolytic activity in animal models of periodontal diseases, a clinical development program was initiated to demonstrate the potential of a subantimicrobial dose of doxycycline (SDD) to augment and maintain the improvements in clinical parameters of adult periodontitis (AP) afforded by conventional nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Clinical trials were carried out in which a number of different SDD dosing regimens and placebo were compared in patients administered a variety of adjunctive nonsurgical therapies. Measured parameters included levels of collagenase activity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and gingival specimens, clinical attachment levels (cALv), probing pocket depths (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and subtraction radiographic measurements of alveolar bone height. When used as an adjunct to either scaling and root planing or supragingival scaling and dental prophylaxis, SDD was shown to reduce collagenase levels in both GCF and gingival biopsies, to augment and maintain cALv gains and PD reductions, to reduce BOP, and to prevent loss of alveolar bone height. These clinical responses arose in the absence of any significant effects on the subgingival microflora and without evidence of an increase in the incidence or severity of adverse reactions relative to the control groups. It is proposed that one of the mechanisms of action of SDD is as an inhibitor of pathologically elevated MMPs, including neutrophil and bone cell collagenases (MMP-8 and MMP-13), which are associated with the host response in chronic AP, and that SDD provides a novel systemic approach to the management of AP.

Adult↗

Periodontal health among recent immigrants from Quara, rural Ethiopia and indications for periodontal health care.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate periodontal status and oral hygiene practices among recent new immigrants from Quara, Ethiopia, with the aim to maintain and promote their periodontal health. METHODS: Periodontal status was recorded for a total of 487 participants using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Age was grouped into 13-17, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, and 45-65 years, and its association with 'worst CPI' was tested. Information on oral hygiene behaviour was collected by interview. RESULTS: The percentage of subjects with calculus is most common in all age groups. Low levels of periodontal pockets in the presence of calculus and very low levels of deep pockets were detected. Differences in CPI scores among the various age groups were statistically significant (p<0.0001). Oral hygiene practice is rare among children in Ethiopia, but a considerable proportion (53%) immediately adopted the local common custom and started brushing their teeth in Israel. Among the adults, oral hygiene practice with chewing sticks was common. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal health promotion of this population should be targeted towards the entire population by enhancement of self-care oral hygiene measures. Periodontal treatment of this population, especially scaling and root planing remains controversial. The presence of inferior oral hygiene and high levels of calculus, together with low levels of periodontal pathology, raises important thoughts regarding the natural history of periodontal disease development.

Adolescent↗

Photoactive porphyrin derivative with broad-spectrum activity against oral pathogens In vitro.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has historically been used as a means to treat cancerous tumors but has recently been used to kill bacterial cells through the use of targeted photosensitizers. PDT is a potential adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontal disease. However, the effectiveness of porphyrin derivatives against microorganisms has been limited because some gram-negative bacteria are refractory to photodynamic treatment with these agents. We have designed a porphyrin derivative conjugated to a pentalysine moeity that endows the molecule with activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Whereas the porphyrin, chlorin e6, showed in vitro activity against a limited spectrum of bacteria, chlorin e6 conjugated to pentalysine showed in vitro activity against all oral microorganisms tested, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides forsythus, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. polymorphum, Actinomyces viscosus, and the streptococci. Potent antimicrobial activity (>/=5-log-unit reduction in the numbers of CFU per milliliter) was retained in the presence of up to 25% whole sheep blood. The use of potent, selective agents such as this chlorin e6-pentalysine conjugate to more effectively reduce the pathogenic bacteria in the periodontal pocket may be a significant tool for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans↗

Effect of treatment on titer, function, and antigen recognition of serum antibodies to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis.

Although periodontal treatment by scaling and root planing (SCRP) is known to induce bacteremia, the effect of this procedure on the host immune response is not known. We have determined pre- and post-SCRP immunoglobulin G antibody titers to antigens of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in the sera of 22 patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis. We also assessed the ability of these sera to enhance phagocytosis and killing of A. actinomycetemcomitans by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by using a polymorphonuclear leukocyte chemiluminescence (CL) assay. Specific anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans antibody titers were significantly increased at 6 and 12 months after beginning treatment, and CL values were significantly increased at 12 months, whereas mean interproximal pocket depths were significantly decreased at 12 months after beginning treatment. When patients were classified as either seropositive (twice the median titer of control subjects; n = 10) or seronegative (n = 12), both median titers and CL values were significantly increased for the seronegative group at 6 and 12 months after treatment. In the seropositive group, only the median titer was significantly increased at 12 months. Western blot (immunoblot) patterns for six seronegative and six seropositive patients differed remarkably at the baseline. Before treatment, all of the seropositive patients recognized high-molecular-mass lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a large number of protein components. Patterns were virtually unaffected by therapy. Before treatment, only one of the seronegative patients recognized the LPS smear and none reacted strongly with protein components. Following treatment, slight LPS staining was observed for five of six seronegative patients and detection of protein bands was enhanced in all cases. We conclude that treatment by SCRP induces a humoral immune response, especially in seronegative patients, and that response may play a role in the observed beneficial effects of periodontal treatment.

Adult↗