Premium
The cagE gene sequence as a diagnostic marker to identify JP 2 and non‐ JP 2 highly leukotoxic Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans serotype b strains
Author(s) -
Johansson A.,
Claesson R.,
Höglund Åberg C.,
Haubek D.,
Oscarsson J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of periodontal research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.31
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0765
pISSN - 0022-3484
DOI - 10.1111/jre.12462
Subject(s) - aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans , serotype , virulence , biology , genotype , polymerase chain reaction , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , aggressive periodontitis , virology , periodontitis , genetics , medicine , porphyromonas gingivalis , bacteria
Background and Objective Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is involved in oral and systemic infections, and is associated with, eg aggressive forms of periodontitis and with endocarditis. The cagE gene encodes a ≈39 kD a putative exotoxin expressed by A. actinomycetemcomitans . The level of conservation of cagE , and its possible significance in periodontal disease, has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, the role of the cagE gene as a diagnostic marker has been investigated. Material and Methods We have used conventional polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) , quantitative PCR and whole genome sequencing data to determine the prevalence of cagE in A. actinomycetemcomitans based on analysis of: (i) 249 isolates, collected and cultivated in a Ghanaian longitudinal cohort study; (ii) a serotype b collection of 19 strains; and (iii) the 36 A. actinomycetemcomitans genomes available in the NCBI database. Results Whereas cagE was absent in the other serotypes, our data support that this gene sequence is linked to a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP 2 and non‐ JP 2 genotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans . Conclusion We propose that cagE has the potential to be used as a PCR ‐based gene marker for the identification of a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP 2 and non‐ JP 2 genotypes. This finding might be of importance in the risk assessment of the development of periodontal attachment loss in young individuals and hence suggested to be a relevant discovery in future development of new diagnostic tools and/or treatment strategies.