Molecular Detection of Human Periodontal Pathogens in Oral Swab Specimens from Dogs in Japan

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are known to be major diseases in humans, and are also common in dogs. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the distribution of periodontitis-related bacterial species using oral swab specimens collected from 26 pet dogs. The distribution of an animal gingival organism Porphyromonas gulae, in addition to 10 human periodontitis-related bacterial species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, and Eikenella corrodens, were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction with species-specific sets of primers. Porphyromonas gulae, Tannerella forsythia and Campylobacter rectus were detected in almost all dogs analyzed, all of which should be regarded as common members of oral flora in dogs. Then, isolation and identification of the Porphyromonas species in swab specimens were performed. There were 35 strains isolated from 22 dogs, and broad-range polymerase chain reaction and sequencing methods revealed that approximately 70% of them were Porphyromonas gulae. In contrast, the frequency of Porphyromonas gingivalis was extremely low. These findings indicate the presence of specific periodontitis-related pathogens in pet dogs, especially Porphyromonas gulae.

Correlation of Age with Distribution of Periodontitis-Related Bacteria in Japanese Dogs

“…The diseases are composed of gingivitis, a reversible condition that features limited inflammation of gingival tissue, and periodontitis, which indicates destruction of periodontal tissues, such as the cementum, periodontal ligaments and supportive bone [8]. It has been summarized that the distribution frequency of gingivitis in dogs aged from 0 to 14 years old (average; approximately 6 years old) ranges from 95-100%, while that of periodontitis is from 50-70% [3].Our previous study analyzed the distribution of 10 human periodontitis-related species in dogs and found that specific species, such as Tannerella forsythia and Campylobacter rectus, were frequently detected [5]. In addition, Porphyromonas gulae, a major pathogen of periodontitis in dogs [2], was also detected at a high frequency [5].…”

“…Our previous study analyzed the distribution of 10 human periodontitis-related species in dogs and found that specific species, such as Tannerella forsythia and Campylobacter rectus, were frequently detected [5]. In addition, Porphyromonas gulae, a major pathogen of periodontitis in dogs [2], was also detected at a high frequency [5].…”

“…In addition, Porphyromonas gulae, a major pathogen of periodontitis in dogs [2], was also detected at a high frequency [5]. On the other hand, the detection rates of other species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Eikenella corrodens, were quite low [5].…”

“…In addition, Porphyromonas gulae, a major pathogen of periodontitis in dogs [2], was also detected at a high frequency [5]. On the other hand, the detection rates of other species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena, Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Eikenella corrodens, were quite low [5]. In addition, several periodontopathic species were shown to be possibly transmitted between dogs and their owners, although the distribution of periodontopathic species in both is generally different [12].…”

“…Periodontitis-related species in dental plaque specimens were detected as previously described [5]. Briefly, oral specimens were collected from a specific location, the gingival margin of the mandibular left canine in the oral cavity, using swabs (Seed-Swab γ-1 or 2; Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan).…”