Leukotoxicity of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in generalized aggressive periodontitis in Brazilians and their family members

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the leukotoxin promoter types of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans clones in subjects with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and in their family members (FM). Material and MethodsThirty-five patients with GAgP (33.9±7.1 years), 33 of their FM (22.8±11.4 years), and 41 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) (44.1±9.4 years) were clinically analyzed using the plaque index, gingival index, probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). Subgingival biofilm samples were collected from four interproximal periodontal sites (>PD and >CAL) of each patient. The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its leukotoxic clone was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). ResultsA. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in 23 (51.1%) GAgP patients and 16 (30.1%) CP patients. Thirty-seven (94.8%) patients showed minimally leukotoxic strains and 2 (5.1%) showed highly leukotoxic strains. In the FM group, 10 (30.3%) had aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 12 (36.3%) had CP, 11 (33.3%) were periodontally healthy or had gingivitis, and 12.2% were A. actinomycetemcomitans positive. Greater full mouth PD and CAL were observed in GAgP patients positive for the bacteria than those negative for it (p<;0.05), and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans positively correlated with GAgP (Odds ratio, 3.1; confidence interval, 1.4-7.0; p=0.009).Conclusions The presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with the clinical condition of GAgP, with most patients exhibiting a generalized form of the disease and minimally leukotoxic clones. Most of the relatives of GAgP patients presented either CP or AgP.

Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus) actimycetemcomitans leukotoxin and human periodontitis – A historic review with emphasis on JP2

“…An updated list of studies that aimed at elucidating various aspects concerning characteristics, function, occurrence, geographic dissemination, and the role of the JP2 clone in periodontitis is presented by Haubek and Johansson in 2014 [47]. Recently, JP2 clone strains have been isolated in Thai population [48], in Brazilians and their family members [49], in Spain [50], from periodontitis subjects in Morocco [51] and from marginal periodontitis in the mixed dentition [52]. The relationship between the colonization with the JP2 clone of Aa and the development of periodontal attachment loss in adolescents, longitudinal studies have been published [53–56].…”

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: Virulence of its leukotoxin and association with aggressive periodontitis

“…23 A strong correlation between highly leukotoxic strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans and periodontitis has also been reported in Brazilian populations. 65 Different ethnic populations seem to show highly variable frequency of the JP2 clonal type of A. actinomycetemcomitans. 66,67 This specific genotype of A. actinomycetemcomitans significantly correlates to periodontal disease onset in infected individuals of African origin.…”

Aggressive periodontitis presents a higher degree of bilateral symmetry in comparison with chronic periodontitis

“…Generalized aggressive periodontitis was diagnosed on the basis of strict inclusion criteria that had been employed in a previous study for microbial analysis and to examine the familial distribution of the disease (5). The criteria used to analyze data were of clinical relevance; only sites with clinical signs of periodontitis were included.…”

“…These patients had been enrolled previously in a study conducted to evaluate the presence of Aggregatibacter actiniomycetemcomitans and its leucotoxicity among family members (5). Generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) was diagnosed following the criteria recommended by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) (19): familial aggregation, rapid attachment loss and bone destruction, age at onset and clinical presentation as generalized interproximal attachment loss affecting three permanent teeth besides incisors and first molars.…”