Open AccessQuantitative detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes in dental plaque
Author(s) -
Ploeg Jan R,
Giertsen Elin,
Lüdin Beat,
Mörgeli Christian,
Zinkernagel Annelies S,
Gmür Rudolf
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/s0378-1097(04)00064-3
Subject(s) - genotype , porphyromonas gingivalis , chronic periodontitis , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , polymerase chain reaction , dental plaque , periodontitis , bacteroidaceae , immunofluorescence , immunology , bacteria , medicine , gene , genetics , antibody
We developed quantitative fimA genotype assays and applied them in a pilot study investigating the fimbrial genotype distribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis in European subjects with or without chronic periodontitis. P. gingivalis was found in 71% and 9% of the samples from patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Enumeration of total P. gingivalis cell numbers by polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence showed excellent correspondence ( r =0.964 ). 73% of positive samples contained multiple fimA genotypes, but generally one genotype predominated by one to three orders of magnitude. Genotype II predominated in 60% of the samples. Genotype IV occurred with similar prevalence (73%) as genotype II but predominated in only 20% of the samples. Genotypes I, III and V were of much lower prevalence and cell densities of the latter two remained sparse. Our results suggest marked differences among the fimA genotypes' ability to colonize host sites with high cell numbers.