Porphyromonas gulae is a major periodontal pathogen in dogs, which can be transmitted to their owners. A major virulence factor of P. gulae consists of a 41-kDa filamentous appendage (FimA) on the cell surface, which is classified into three genotypes: A, B, and C. Thus far, inhibition of periodontal disease in dogs remains difficult. The present study assessed the inhibitory effects of a combination of clindamycin and interferon alpha (IFN-α) formulation against P. gulae and periodontal disease. Growth of P. gulae was significantly inhibited by clindamycin; this inhibition had a greater effect on type C P. gulae than on type A and B isolates. In contrast, the IFN-α formulation inhibited the expression of IL-1β and COX-2 elicited by type A and B isolates, but not that elicited by type C isolates. Furthermore, periodontal recovery was promoted by the administration of both clindamycin and ifn-α formulation to dogs undergoing periodontal treatment; moreover, this combined treatment reduced the number of fimA genotypes in oral specimens from treated dogs. these results suggest that a combination of clindamycin and ifn-α formulation inhibit P. gulae virulence and thus may be effective for the prevention of periodontal disease induced by P. gulae.

No abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that Porphyromonas gulae (P. gulae) significantly contributes to the development of periodontal disease in dogs. Porphyromonas gulae is divided into three subtypes according to the 41-kDa filamentous appendage (fimA), defined as types A, B, and C. This study aimed to elucidate the association between fimA type of P. gulae with the number of permanent teeth, reflecting the severity of periodontal disease. Two hundred twenty-five dogs were categorized by P. gulae fimA type as negative, type A dominant, type B dominant, and type C dominant. The stage of periodontal disease in P. gulae-positive dogs increased with age, particularly in type C dominant dogs. Correspondingly, the number of permanent teeth in P. gulae fimA type C-dominant dogs was significantly lower than that of P. gulae-negative dogs, suggesting there is a significant association between fimA type of P. gulae and the number of permanent teeth resulting from the development of periodontal disease.

In addition, a canine IFN-α formulation (InterBerryα ® ; Hokusan Co. Ltd., Higashihiroshima, Japan) has been commercially available as a pharmaceutical agent for periodontal treatment in animals since 2014. " should read: "In addition, a canine IFN-α formulation (InterBerryα ® ; Hokusan Co. Ltd., Kitahiroshima, Japan) has been commercially available as a pharmaceutical agent for periodontal treatment in animals since 2014. "

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases in humans and animals. It is a multifactorial disease resulting in attachment loss and tooth loss. Therefore, preventive dentistry, such as daily teeth cleaning or providing dental chews from puppyhood is essential. This study aimed to find an alternative option for preventive dentistry by examining both in vitro and clinically, the antibacterial, antihalitosis, and anti-inflammatory effects of folic acid (FA) in dogs with periodontal disease. The antibacterial and antihalitosis responses of FA were evaluated in vitro using Porphyromonas gulae, a bacterium that plays a significant role in the development of periodontal disease in dogs. Anti-inflammatory responses, such as secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 induced by P. gulae infection in human gingival epithelium have been studied. This study used dogs with P. gulae-associated periodontal diseases and was conducted by providing a dental chew containing 0.13% FA for 28 days. The viability and halitosis production (hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan) of P. gulae was significantly inhibited by FA in a dose and time-dependent manner. IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 secretion were also significantly suppressed by FA treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In vitro bactericidal, antihalitosis, and anti-inflammatory effects of FA were confirmed in dogs with P. gulae-associated periodontal disease. One month of oral treatment with 0.13% FA-containing dental chews significantly reduced halitosis as well as P. gulae activity. This study suggests that oral treatment with FA can be a preventive option for periodontal disease in dogs as well as humans.