Periodontitis in the baboon: a potential model for human disease

Abstract

Advances in periodontics with respect to disease activity, microbiology and immunology have demonstrated the multifactorial nature of periodontal diseases. This serves to underscore the need for an ideal animal model for periodontal research. Non-human primates are most similar to man in comparison to other animal models. The baboon is an Old World monkey that has infrequently been used in periodontal research. Periodontal exams were accomplished on 116 baboons (Papio anubis, P. cynocephalus) ages 5 to 30 years with one baboon year being roughly equivalent to 3 to 4 human years. The study population consisted of 29 males and 87 females. Clinical parameters including probing depth, attachment level, mobility, plaque index and gingival index were collected. Radiographs were taken on 25 animals and correlated to clinical findings. Results showed a significant increase in mean probing depth and mean attachment level with age (p = 0.0001). Disease prevalence and severity were not significantly different between genders. Mobility was uncommon; however, the prevalence and severity of furcation involvement increased with age. Radiographs suggested horizontal and isolated vertical bone loss. Plaque and gingival indices were at sustained high levels for all age groups and showed a statistically significant increase with age. Some baboons were found to develop a naturally-occurring periodontitis that increased in severity with age. This primate may be a suitable model for studies in human periodontal disease.

Heritability of Alveolar Bone Loss From Periodontal Disease in a Baboon Population: A Pilot Study

“…Consistent with previous findings, 22 sex was not associated with periodontal disease in this baboon population. Females had slightly elevated levels of disease and were older compared to males, but sex was not significant after adjusting for age.…”

“…The animal population had been captive for various lengths of time and both captive and recently, wild‐caught baboons had similar amounts of disease. Although baboons are large‐bodied, terrestrial omnivores adapted to a wide range of environmental habitats from semidesert to woodland and require large amounts of food, they have long lives (up to 30 years or more in captivity) and similar patterns of dental diseases to humans 21,22 . In one study, periodontal examinations were performed on 116 baboons and significant increases with age were found in mean probing depths and mean attachment levels, with the conclusion being that the baboon may be a suitable model for studies of human periodontal disease 22 …”

Reevaluation of the Strain Pressure Theory: Toward a Better Understanding the Biology of Tooth Movement

“…Owing to the difficulty of obtaining older animals with fully developed permanent dentitions, the experiments were conducted on the still completely firm deciduous teeth. Even though, contemporary research has shown few similarities, this study (Avery & Simpson, 1973;Aufdemorte et al, 1993;Miller et al, 1995;Rogers & Hixson, 1997;Weiner et al, 1999;Carr et al, 2000;Perel et al, 2007), used as reference for our clinical practice it didn't even use permanent teeth, they were deciduous, and to compare bone physiology findings, with humans, it does not show the same results as reported by a systematic review from Perel et al…”

Familial periodontal disease in the cayo santiago rhesus macaques

“…There is clear evidence that the various species of primates ( e.g. M. fascicularis, M. mulatta, M. nemestrina, S. scuireus, P. anubis ) all demonstrate naturally-occurring periodontal disease that increases with aging [Schou et al, 1993; Madden and Caton, 1994; Miller et al, 1995; Struillou et al, 2010; Oz and Puleo, 2011]. These species demonstrate clinical, microbiological, and immunologic similarities to the disease in humans.…”