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Presence of JP2 and Non‐JP2 Genotypes of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Attachment Loss in Adolescents in Ghana
Author(s) -
Åberg Carola Höglund,
Kwamin Francis,
Claesson Rolf,
Johansson Anders,
Haubek Dorte
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2012.110699
Subject(s) - aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans , medicine , oral hygiene , clinical attachment loss , dentistry , population , genotype , hygiene , periodontitis , biology , environmental health , porphyromonas gingivalis , pathology , biochemistry , gene
Background: Limited data are reported concerning the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and attachment loss (AL) in sub‐Saharan countries. The authors investigate the carrier frequency of JP2 and non‐JP2 genotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans and the presence of AL in Ghanaian adolescents and evaluate socioeconomic conditions and oral hygiene practices. Methods: Five hundred individuals (mean ± SD age: 13.2 ± 1.5 years) in public and private schools were interviewed about demographic characteristics and oral hygiene practices and were given a full‐mouth periodontal examination. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from periodontal sites around permanent first molars and incisors. The carrier status of A. actinomycetemcomitans at the individual level was determined based on results obtained by cultivation and polymerase chain reaction. Results: The findings of this study show a relatively high carrier rate of JP2 and non‐JP2 genotypes of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in the Ghanaian adolescent population and the presence of this bacterium is associated with the occurrence of AL. The overall carrier rate of A. actinomycetemcomitans was 54.4%, and the highly leukotoxic JP2 genotype was detected in 8.8% of the study population. A total of 107 (21.4%) individuals had ≥1 tooth with AL ≥3 mm. The majority of the individuals carrying A. actinomycetemcomitans (80.1%) ( P <0.001) and of the periodontally diseased individuals (91.6%) ( P <0.001) were found in public schools. Conclusions: A. actinomycetemcomitans and AL were frequently found in Ghanaian adolescents. The school type was the strongest predictor of both presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans and AL.