Immunological, Genetic, and Microbiological Study of Family Members Manifesting Early‐Onset Periodontitis

Abstract

From the standpoint of host‐parasite interactions, family studies help us understand the host defensive factors and the molecular mechanisms involved in the periodontal immune response. In this study, we report the immunological profile of host‐defensive functions, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) phenotypes, and the microflora of a mother (rapidly progressive periodontitis), an older son (periodontally healthy), a younger son (localized juvenile periodontitis), and a daughter (localized juvenile periodontitis). We examined the peripheral neutrophil functions, phenotypic and functional analysis of peripheral lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers against periodontopathic bacteria, serological type of HLA class II antigens, and bacterial flora in all periodontal pockets. The results showed that Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was dominant in the pockets of all subjects. The mother and two sons showed a depressed neutrophil chemotaxis to N‐formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine. All subjects except the older son exhibited low T4/T8 ratios. The mother and daughter had raised levels of IgG titers to Porphyromonas gingivalis. All subjects had HLA phenotypes of DRw52 and DQ1 in common. We found that the family members had similar disorders in certain defensive functions. This family has been a model for our understanding of the host defensive factors in the development of early‐onset periodontitis. J Periodontol 1996;67:254–263.

Efficacy of Amoxicillin and Metronidazole Combination for the Management of Generalized Aggressive Periodontitis

“…Studies have proposed that unsteady subgingival microflora, differences in host response, and environmental and geographic differences could account for variations of treatment efficacy in otherwise systemically healthy subjects diagnosed with GAgP 48‐50 . Although several papers have suggested varying species dominating the microflora of GAgP patients, there is a consensus that the microbial composition of the biofilm in GAgP is dominated by specific bacteria 7 .…”

Microbiological, immunological and genetic factors in family members with periodontitis as a manifestation of systemic disease, associated with hematological disorders

“…and E. corrodens are frequently found in the subgingival microflora of children who have periodontitis (33)(34)(35). In a case report, Nakagawa et al (36) emphasized the significance of A. actinomycetemcomitans infection in the initial stages of periodontal diseases. In the present study, the mother did have a raised serum IgG titer to this organism, but the son and daughter did not.…”

Microbiology of periodontal disease in children and young adults

“…A number of researchers have found A. actinomycetemcomitans in generalized early‐onset periodontitis patients (73, 75, 85, 90, 97, 98, 112, 116, 120, 141, 145, 171) (Table 3). The frequency and numbers of the organism are increased, with Okuda et al (120) finding that up to 20% of the subgingival microbiota consisted of A. actinomycetemcomitans .…”