Distribution and Serogroup of Bacteroides (Porphyromonas) gingivalis Isolated from Periodontal Pockets of Periodontitis Patients

Abstract

The distribution and serogroup of Bacteroides (Porphyromonas) gingivalis, a periodontopa thic bacteria, isolated from periodontal pockets of periodontitis patients was examined. The percentage of black-pigmented Bacteroides species in total isolates from subgingival microflora of six periodontitis patients was 23.3% and the percentage of B. gingivalis in the black-pigmented Bacteroides species was 37.8%. The ratio of serogroup A and B of B. gingivalis isolated from 27 patients in four different laboratories, were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using autoclave extracted antigen. All B. gingivalis isolated were classified as serogroup A or B, and no patient harbored more than one serogroup of B. gingivalis. The serogroup A and B strains were detected in 9 (33.3%) and 18 (66.6%) of the patients, respectively. The prevalence of serogroup B is two times higher than that of serogroup A in the distribution of B. gingivalis in periodontal pockets of periodontitis patients. These findings suggest that the serogroup B strain of B. gingivalis may more strongly relate to human adult periodontitis.