The Presence of Bacteria within the Oral Epithelium in Periodontal Disease: I. A Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopic Study

Abstract

The presence of bacteria within the gingival oral epithelium and adjacent connective tissue in cases of periodontitis and localized juvenile periodontitis have been described using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The following bacterial morphotypes were identified: cocci, short rods, filaments and few spirochetes in periodontitis and mainly coccobacillary-shaped bacteria in localized juvenile periodontitis. Also Mycoplasma-like structures were identified in the localized juvenile periodontitis cases. Tunnel-like formations at different depths of the oral epithelium contained higher numbers of bacteria than those seen on the adjacent oral surface. Identification of specific bacteria in the oral epithelium may have important pathogenic and therapeutic implications.

Scanning electron microscopic examination of pocket wall epithelium and associated plaque in localized juvenile periodontitis

“…Saglie et al, (1985) have suggested that initial points of entry for bacteria are the undersides of desquamating epithelial cells and along their intercellular spaces. Saglie et al, (1985) have suggested that initial points of entry for bacteria are the undersides of desquamating epithelial cells and along their intercellular spaces.…”

“…For instance, Allen & Brady (1978), Gillett & Johnson (1982), Saglie et al (1982), Carranza et al (1983), Newman et al (1984) ail obtained 4 or less specimens from one patient. In addition, Saglie et al (1985), Saglie et al (1986) and Liakoni et al (1987) based their studies on a sample population of 2 patients. One major study by Gonzalez et al (1987) used a patient population of twelve from which sixty specimens were procured.…”

“…Studies by, Carranza et al (1983), Saglie et al (1985), Newman et al (1984), and Saghe et al (1986) have described mycoplasma infected tissues from LJP pocket biopsy specimens. The organisms were attached to epithelial cells, erythrocytes, cementum, and exhibited invasive potential by passing through the epithelial wall into subjacent connective tissues.…”

“…The majority of previous investigations concerned with ultrastructural verification of microbial invasion in LJP or descriptions of the associated plaque are based on limited numbers of specimens and/or patient population, i.e., 1 or 2 patients and a corresponding num-ber of biopsy specimens (Alien & Brady 1978, Carranza et al 1983, Newman et al 1984, Saglie et al 1985. Thus, purpose of this investigation was to exatnine the epithelial lining of pockets from ten LJP patients by scanning electron microscopy to determine distribution of microbial colonization, to ascertain the predominate microbial morphologic types associated with these colonies, and to describe the topographical features of the adjacent pocket epithelitmi.…”

Relationship between invasion of theperiodontiumby periodontal pathogens and periodontal disease: a systematic review

“…One study was in Japanese and was excluded. 36 Twenty-two studies were subsequently excluded for specific reasons: 3 studies 34,35,37 had a study protocol not related to the objectives of this systematic review, 8 studies 14,[25][26][27]30,39,40,42 had absence of control group (non-diseased samples), one study 38 only presented disease samples from a single patient, 7 studies 28,29,[31][32][33]41,44 hadn't clearly defined inclusion and/or exclusion criteria, and finally 3 studies 43,45,46 were excluded because they only addressed opportunistic pathogens. Additional hand searching of the reference lists of the selected papers didn't retrieve any additional studies.…”