Background: Cytomorphometry is the analysis of the morphometry of exfoliated cells. Studies on exfoliated gingival epithelial cells in chronic periodontitis were not evident on the literature search. In the backdrop of this information, we were inspired to conduct a cytomorphometric study. Aim: The aim of the study is to correlate the nuclear area (NA), cytoplasm area (CA), and the nuclear: cytoplasm ratio (N/C) in the gingival cells of healthy individuals, patients with chronic periodontitis, and chronic periodontitis patients who are tobacco chewers. Materials and Methods: Ninety subjects, aged 35–45 years, were categorized into three equal groups of 30 each. Group I had individuals with healthy gingiva, Group II patients with chronic periodontitis without any deleterious habits, while Group III patients with chronic periodontitis and tobacco chewing habit. Exfoliated gingival cells were stained with Papanicolaou stain. Analysis of cells was done using binocular light microscope under ×40 and i-progress ® image analyzer software. Results: There was statistically significant increase in CA in all the groups, but NA and N/C ratio did not show any statistical significant difference. When Group II was compared with Group III, we found significant correlation of CA with pocket probing depth and clinical attachment loss (CAL) in Group II. Similarly, we also found a correlation of CA and N/C with pocket depth and CA with CAL in Group III. Conclusion: The results suggest that molecular level changes occur in the cells. Cytomorphometry can be used to analyze the cellular changes in chronic periodontitis patients even before clinical signs manifest. Hence, it can be used as an investigative tool.

Background: Prevotella is a Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli. The phenotypic characteristics of the various species of Prevotella are similar, which often makes it difficult in routine differentiation and identification of all the species. Aim: The purpose of the study was to detect and compare presence of Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella melaninogenica , and Prevotella loescheii in subgingival plaque samples of chronic periodontitis and healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: Two hundred and thirty-six subjects were considered consisting of chronic periodontitis (128) and healthy (108) individuals. Subgingival plaque sample was collected in reduced transport fluid and analyzed. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for genus Prevotella followed by positive samples were considered for the detection of selected species through multiplex PCR using specific primers. Results: Out of 236 samples, 94.1% were positive for genus Prevotella . Out of 222 cases P. nigrescens showed the highest number of cases positive (59.5%) followed by P. melaninogenica (57.2%), P. intermedia (55.4%), and P. loescheii (40.1%). Species were analyzed individually between chronic periodontitis and healthy, P. intermedia, P. nigrescens , and P. loescheii showed greater positivity in healthy compared to chronic periodontitis. Positivity for P. melaninogenica was high in chronic periodontitis compared to healthy. Conclusion: The number of positive cases for species, when correlated with clinical parameters showed an increase in mean score for all clinical parameters assessed, suggesting the presence of variation in the prevalence of Prevotella species and geographic variation do exist in oral microflora. Findings suggest that they can be normal commensals and opportunistic.

Background: People globally are turning to herbal products to reconnect with nature. Cost efficacy and minimal side effects are the reasons for this changeover. This study assessed the effect of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius as an antimicrobial agent against Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Aim: To determine and compare the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. paeoniifolius on periodontal pathogens. Materials and Methods: Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. paeoniifolius were tested against the standard strains of the selected bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were used. These tests assessed the lowest concentrations of test agent, either by showing a lack of turbidity or by no or few bacterial growth colonies, respectively. In this study, tetracycline hydrochloride was used as the control group. Results: Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. paeoniifolius showed antibacterial activity at various concentrations against the selected organisms. While assessing the MBC, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. paeoniifolius and tetracycline hydrochloride exhibited bactericidal activity against F. nucleatum at all concentrations. The ethanolic extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius and tetracycline hydrochloride showed bactericidal action, whereas the aqueous extract exhibited bacteriostatic action against P. gingivalis. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. paeoniifolius showed bacteriostatic action, whereas tetracycline hydrochloride showed bactericidal action against P. intermedia. Conclusion: Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of A. paeoniifolius showed antibacterial activity against standard strains of P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and F. nucleatum. The ethanolic extract showed a significant antibacterial effect against the selected microorganisms when compared to the aqueous extract of A. paeoniifolius.