Serum Immunoglobulin G Antibody to Periodontal Bacteria

¹ Department of Periodontology and Endodontology, and * Department of Oral Microbiology, Okayama University Dental School, Shikata-cho, Okayama 700, Japan
² Department of Oral Microbiology, Okayama University Dental School, Shikata-cho, Okayama 700, Japan

The purpose of this study was to assess the serum antibody levels to periodontal bacteria in patients with periodontal disease, and to explore the diagnostic uses of the serum antibody assessment and its potential as a therapeutic guide.

One hundred twenty-nine patients were clinically examined for the type and extent of periodontal destruction and serum IgG antibody levels to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Actinomyces israelii (Ai), A. viscosus (Av), Bacteroides asaccharolyticus (Ba), B. corporis (Bc), B. denticola (Bd), B. gingivalis (Bg), B. intermedius (Bi), B. loescheii (Bl), Capnocytophaga gingivalis (Cg), C. ochracea (Co), and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn). Clinical and serological data were subjected to correlation analyses. A small group of patients was monitored during the progress of periodontal treatments.

The IgG antibody levels were assessed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Significantly elevated IgG antibody levels were manifested to Aa, Ai, Bg, and Fn in all forms of periodontal disease, additionally to Cg and Co in juvenile periodontitis, and to Bi in adult periodontitis. There were some correlations between a few clinical parameters and the antibody levels. Successful periodontal treatment sigficantly decreased the antibody levels to all of the micro-organisms; however, during periodontal treatment, there were no marked differences between pre- and post-treatment levels.

The antibody reactivities to the periodontopathic micro-organisms may be of diagnostic and predictive value in patients.

Note:

The authors are grateful to Dr. Peter K. Domoto, visiting professor in the Department of Pedodontics, Okayama University Dental School, for his assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

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