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Notes: Abstract Sixty-eight strains of capnophilic fusiform Gram-negative rods from the human oral cavity were subjected to extensive physiologic characterization, tested for susceptibility to various antibiotics, and the mol-percent guanine plus cytosine of each isolate determined. The characteristics of the isolates were compared with 10 fresh and 2 stock isolates of Fusobacterium nucleatum. The isolates clearly differed from the Fusobacterium species on the basis of molpercent guanine plus cytosine, end products, growth in a capnophilic environment and fermentation of carbohydrates. All of the gliding isolates required CO2 and formed acetate and succinate, but not H2S, indole or acetylmethylcarbinol. All fermented glucose, sucrose, maltose and mannose. The organisms may be differentiated on the basis of fermentation of additional carbohydrates, hydrolysis of polymers and reduction of nitrate. Three species are proposed: Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena and Capnocytophaga gingivalis. Ten isolates did not fit into the proposed species.

Notes: Objectives: This investigation sought intra-oral sources of species colonizing dental implants. Materials and Methods: Plaque samples were taken pre- and post-successful osseointegration from implants, teeth, and from tongues of 10 edentulous and 11 partially-dentate subjects. Samples were assayed using whole genomic DNA probes in a checkerboard assay to 42 subgingival species. Results: Similar prevalences and mean levels (103 to 104) of micro-organisms colonized implants and teeth. Species levels from tongue samples were higher than those of teeth and implants, although species prevalence was similar, suggesting that larger samples were obtained from the tongue. No significant differences were observed between the microbiota from the tongue of edentulous and partially dentate subjects. Most implant species were detected on tongue pre-implantation. In individual edentulous subjects, there were positive associations between Capnocytophaga ochracea and Campylobacter rectus from tongue and implant samples. In individual partially dentate subjects, there were positive associations between Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. vincentii from tongue and implant samples, and Treponema denticola from implant and tooth samples taken at the same visit. Conclusion: This study indicated that the tongue, in addition to teeth, can be a source for species colonizing new implants.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉ZusammenfassungMikroflora der Zunge, Zähne und neu gesetzter Implantate vor und nach der Implantation Ziele: Diese Untersuchung suchte nach intraoralen Quellen von Spezies, die Zahnimplantate besiedeln. Material und Methode: Vor und nach der erfolgreichen Osseointegration wurden von Implantaten, Zähnen und vor der Zunge von 10 zahnlosen und 11 teilbezahnten Patienten Plaqueproben entnommen. Die Proben wurden unter Verwendung eines DNA-Gen-Sondentests mit Schachbrett-Design hinsichtlich von 42 subgingivalen Spezies untersucht. Ergebnisse: Die Mikroorganismen zeigten bei Implantaten und Zähnen ähnliche Prävalenzen und mittlere Titer (103 bis 104). Die Titer der Proben von der Zunge waren höher, als die von Zähnen und Implantaten, obwohl die Prävalenz ähnlich war. Dies läßt annehmen, daß die Proben von der Zunge größer waren. Zwischen der Mikroflora der Zunge von zahnlosen und teilbezahnten Patienten wurden keine signifikanten Unterschiede beobachtet. Die meisten Spezies, die Implantate besiedeln, wurden vor der Implantation auf der Zunge beobachtet. Bei einzelnen zahnlosen Patienten wurden bei Capnocytophaga ochracea und Campylobacter rectus positive Assoziationen zwischen Zungen- und Implantatproben beobachtet. Bei einzelnen teilbezahnten Patienten waren bei Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. vincentii zwi schen Zungen- und Implantatproben positive Assoziationen vorhanden, sowie bei Treponema denticola von Implantat- und Zahnproben, die während des gleichen Termins entnommen wurden. Schlußfolgerung: Diese zeigte, daß die Zunge zusätzlich zu den Zähnen eine Quelle für Spezies, die Zahnimplantate besiedeln, sein kann.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉RésuméLa flore microbienne de la langue, des dents et des implants mis en place récemment, avant et après l'implantation Objectifs de l'étude: ce travail recherche les origines endo-buccales des espèces colonisant les implants dentaires. Matériel et Méthodes: Des échantillons de plaque ont été prélevés sur les implants, les dents et la langue de 10 sujets édentés et de 11 sujets partiellement dentés, avant et après ostéointégration réussie. Les échantillons ont été analysés en utilisant des sondes d'ADN pour tout le génome dans une analyse en damier pour 42 espèces sous-gingivales. Résultats: Les prévalences et les niveaux moyens (103à 104) des dents et implants colonisés par les microorganismes étaient de même ordre. Les niveaux des espèces provenant des échantillons sur la langue étaient plus élevés que ceux des dents et des implants, bien que la prévalence des espèces ait été de même ordre, ce qui pourrait indiquer que les échantillons prélevés sur la langue étaient plus grands. On ne constatait pas de différences significatives entre la microflore de la langue des sujets édentés et celle des sujets partiellement dentés. La plupart des espèces sur les implants ont été trouvées sur la langue avant l'implantation. Chez chacun des sujets édentés, il y avait des associations positives entre Capnocytophagea ochracea et Campylobacter rectus des échantillons provenant de la langue et des implants. Chez les sujets partiellement dentés, il y avait des associations positives entre Fusobacterium nucleatum subsp. vincentii des échantillons provenant de la langue et des implants et Treponema denticola des échantillons prélevés sur les implants et les dents lors de la même visite. Conclusion: cette étude indiquait que, en plus des dents, la langue peut être à l'origine des espèces colonisant les nouveaux implants.

Notes: Abstract Attachment level at two sites on each tooth in 22 untreated subjects with existing periodontal pockets was measured every month for 1 year. Regression analysis was then applied to the data from each periodontal site to determine if statistically significant trends in attachment level change could be detected. 82.8 % of the sites monitored did not significantly change during the year. 5.7% of the sites became significantly deeper and 11.5% of the sites became significantly shallower (P〈 0.01) during the period. Among those sites in which pocket depth increased, approximately half exhibited a cyclic deepening followed by spontaneous recovery to their original depth. In 15 of the subjects, sites were found which became significantly deeper while other sites within the same subject became significantly shallower. In six subjects, who might be considered to have an arrested form of periodontal disease, virtually no sites became deeper during the monitoring period whereas 11–36% of their sites became significantly shallower. The results of this investigation suggest that a dynamic condition of disease exacerbation and remission as well as periods of inactivity may be characteristic of periodontal disease.

Notes: Abstract The effect of zinc sulfadiazine (ZnSD) and silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) on reducing plaque formation and gingivitis was studied in 12 beagle dogs over a 14-week period. 12 beagle dogs were scaled, root planed and pumiced to bring them to a similar level of gingival health, prior to placing them on a diet of Purina Dog Chow softened with canned gravy and molasses to promote the build-up of plaque and the initiation of gingivitis. At the end of 8 weeks, the dogs were determined to have substantial bacterial plaque accumulation and apparent gingivitis. Thereafter, 4 dogs were treated 2 × daily with topical applications of 3% zinc sulfadiazine; 4 dogs were treated with 2% silver sulfadiazine while 4 dogs were treated with placebo gel serving as control over a 14-week treatment period. By week 2, the zinc and silver sulfadiazine dogs showed a significant decrease in gingival index which was maintained throughout the study. Additionally, by week 2, the % of sites with bleeding was also seen to decrease significantly in the experimental groups. The plaque index remained consistent in all 3 groups until week 6 when the 2 experimental groups indicated significant decrease in plaque accumulation as compared to controls. Probing depths were also seen to decrease significantly in the experimental groups after 10 weeks of therapy. The mean stain index was similar in all 3 groups of dogs throughout the study. Data indicate that both zinc and silver sulfadiazine inhibit plaque formation and reduce existing gingivitis in beagle dogs.

Notes: Abstract Apical subgingival plaque samples were taken from 19 subjects exhibiting active destructive periodontal disease. The predominant cultivable Gram negative species from 50 active sites were compared to 69 inactive sites of comparable pocket depth and attachment level loss. Active disease sites were chosen which showed a significant loss of attachment within a two-month interval.Proportions of Gram negative rods were higher in active periodontal disease sites than in inactive sites. Species which were found to be significantly elevated only in active sites were Bacteroides intermedius, “fusiform”Bacteroides, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Wolinella recta. Fuso-hacterium nucleattum, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, and Eikenella corrodens, were found in significantly increased proportions in active sites of some subjects and inactive sites of others.

Notes: Background/aims: Established periodontal diseases may be associated with antibody responses to periodontal pathogens, but it is not known at which stage of disease this antibody response is initiated. This study aimed to characterize the host systemic response in initial periodontitis, gingivitis, and periodontal health, to evaluate whether elevated serum antibodies to subgingival species could be detected in initial periodontitis.Method: Human systemic immune response were evaluated to 40 subgingival bacterial species in 16 healthy, 21 gingivitis, 11 initial periodontitis and 5 progressing recession adults. Subjects had minimal periodontal attachment level (AL) loss at baseline. Disease categories were determined after 12 months monitoring at three-month intervals. Increased AL loss 〈inlineGraphic alt="geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted" extraInfo="nonStandardEntity" href="urn:x-wiley:03036979:JCPE27007473:ges" location="ges.gif"/〉1.5 mm (disease activity) at interproximal sites defined initial periodontitis, recession was characterized by AL loss at buccal sites. Serum IgG antibodies were evaluated semi-quantitatively by immunoblot from blood taken at baseline, active and final visits.Results: No antibody was detected from 55% of reactions. When detected, levels were below those reported for advanced periodontitis subjects. There were no major differences in serum antibody levels between healthy, gingivitis and initial periodontitis subjects, despite differences in the subgingival microbiota. Serum antibodies for more species were detected in recession subjects, compared with the other study subjects. No changes in antibody levels were detected between baseline, active, and final visits. No systematic association between species colonization and presence of systemic antibody was observed.Conclusions: This study did not detect differential elevation of mean serum antibody levels in initial periodontitis subjects, suggesting that serum antibody levels are not sensitive risk markers for initial periodontitis.

Notes: Abstract. The association between subgingival temperature, other clinical characteristics, and the subgingival microbiota was examined in adult subjects with initial periodontitis and differing levels of gingival inflammation, 43 subjects were measured at 6 sites per tooth for pocket depth, attachment level, presence of plaque, gingival redness, bleeding on probing and subgingival temperature at 3-month intervals for 1 year. Subgingival plaque was sampled from 15 initial active periodontitis sites (10 subjects), 121 gingivitis, sites (20 subjects) and 202 healthy sites (13 subjects), and included the 5 hottest and 5 coldest sites in each subject. Plaque samples were analyzed for 13 subgingival species using whole-genomic DNA probes. The major influences on the subgingival microbiota were the clinical status of sites, pocket depth, and the presence of supragingival plaque. No significant association between species and site temperature was observed. Initial active sites were associated with Bacteroides forsythus and Campylobacter rectus. and had a higher mean subgingival temperature and deeper mean pocket depth than inactive sites, A weak association between pocket depth and site temperature was noted. The major influence on subgingival temperature of sites was the anterior to posterior anatomical temperature gradient in the mandible and maxilla.

Notes: Abstract Clinical syndromes of 22 untreated patients with advanced destructive periodontal disease were analyzed using cluster analysis. Clinical characteristics coded for each patient included age, sex, measures of gingival inflammation, plaque, suppuration, pocket depth, attachment level, extent and pattern of bone loss, rate of change in pocket depth, and correlation coefficients between certain clinical measurements. Microbiologic features included darkfield enumeration of 10 morphologically distinct forms of organisms which were removed from the three sites showing the most advanced destruction in each patient, as well as viable counts of specific microbial groups from the same teeth using elective and selective media. Serum antibody levels were determined by the ELISA technique to 13 species of subgingival microorganisms. The Gower coefficient was used to estimate similarity between patients and clusters were formed using an average unweighted linkage sort. Three distinct patient clusters were observed with greater than 70 % average intra-cluster similarity. One subject did not fall into any of the patient clusters. The features which defined and differentiated the clusters were found to include age of subject, extent and patterns of bone loss, percent of sites showing change in pocket depth and attachment level, percent of small motile rods, intermediate spirochetes and fusiforms and serum IgG levels against Bacteroides gingivalis, Selenomonas sputigena and a Wolinella strain.

Notes: Abstract Samples of apical plaque were taken by means of an anaerobic gas-flushed syringe from 21 sites in eight patients, The samples were anaerobically dispersed, diluted and plated and incubated in an atmosphere of 80% N2, 10% H2 and 10% CO2 for 7–21 days. All colonies on plates containing 20–50 isolates were picked, repeatedly restreaked, characterized and identified where possible by a probabilistic computer identification program. The sites were divided into four groups on the basis of clinical features. The significance of differences between bacterial populations in the groups was determined by the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, while the Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used to determine the rank correlation of clinical features of disease and micro-bial species.The subgingival microbiota in advanced destructive sites was predominated by Gram-negative rods. The microbiota of two young adult patients with generalized extensive bone loss, extensive clinical inflammation and suppuration was dominated by Bacteroides asaccharolyticus and an organism with characteristics consistent with Actinobacillus actino-mycetemcomitans. The predominant cultivable microbiota in two patients with extensive bone loss but minimal clinical inflammation was predominated by Bacteroides melaninogenicus ss intermedius and Eikenella corrodens in one patient and E. corrodens and a slow growing fusiform-shaped Bacteroides in a second patient. A third group of four patients demonstrated moderate levels of clinical inflammation and evidence of continued bone loss in the last year. Predominant organisms in this group were more heterogeneous and included B. asaccharolyticus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, the “fusiform”Bacteroides and anaerobic vibrios. Sites with minimal disease in the patients revealed higher proportions of Gram-positive organisms including Rothia dentocariosa, Actinomyces naeslundii and Actinomyces viscosus.A positive rank correlation could be detected between clinical inflammation including suppuration and B. asaccharolyticus and a negative rank correlation between inflammation and E. corrodens.

Notes: Abstract – Caufield et al. (1) have suggested that the acquisition of mutans streptococci in young children most likely takes place during a “window of infectivity” from 19 to 31 months of age. Objectives and Methods: This study determined the prevalence of dental caries and bacterial infection in a randomly selected sample of 199 children 6 to 36 months old from the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, USA. The relationships between caries and Streptococcus mutans infection, hypoplasia, diet and oral hygiene behavior were investigated. Results and Conclusions: The overall estimated prevalence of caries was high: 46.8% of the children had white spot lesions and 39.1% had enamel cavitation. Colonization was seen in very young children; S. mutans was detected in 25% of the predentate children. The results of multi-variable modeling support the hypothesis that bacterial infection, diet, and hypoplasia are important in the etiology of dental caries in this population. Adjusted for age and ethnicity, children with a high level of S. mutans detected were 5 times more likely to have dental caries than children with a lower level of S. mutans detected. Hypoplasia and a high cariogenicity score (diet) were also significant independent predictors. The odds of having any white spot lesions or enamel cavitation were 9.6 times greater for children with any hypoplasia, and 7.8 times greater for children with high cariogenicity scores relative to those with lower scores after adjusting for level of S. mutans, age and ethnicity. Sleeping with a bottle, maternal sharing of utensils, and high snacking frequency were not significant predictors of caries in this population.