Journal of Dental Research, Vol 70, 1052-1056, Copyright © 1991 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals

ARTICLES

Detection of two anaerobic periodontopathogens in children by means of the BANA and ELISA assays

M. R. Watson, D. E. Lopatin, W. A. Bretz, I. J. Ertel and W. J. Loesche
Department of Biologic and Materials Sciences, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor 48109.

The mouths of young children become colonized by a variety of bacteria, but there have been only a few studies that have sought the presence of periodontopathic species in this population. Almost all of these studies used culturing techniques rather than the newer detection methodologies for various periodontopathogens. Studies in adults have shown that Treponema denticola and Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis can be detected in dental plaque by use of the BANA and ELISA diagnostic tests. In the present study, plaque samples from four subgingival sites in each of 157 children (aged from two to 18 years) were tested for BANA hydrolysis with a BANA reagent card, and for T. denticola and P. gingivalis with an ELISA assay. Anaerobic periodontopathogens hydrolyzing the BANA substrate were found to be present in at least one of four plaque samples in 88 children (56%). T. denticola and/or P. gingivalis were detected by ELISA in at least one plaque sample in each of 135 children (86%). This study shows that children are widely colonized by these micro-organisms. A higher proportion of Black children than Caucasian children was colonized by these BANA-positive organisms. Also, children having a parent with a documented history of periodontal disease were more likely to be BANA-positive than were children of parents with unknown periodontal status.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y. Lee, W.-S. S. Tchaou, K. B. Welch, and W. J. Loesche The transmission of BANA-positive periodontal bacterial species from caregivers to children. J Am Dent Assoc, November 1, 2006; 137(11): 1539 - 1546. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Lee, L.H. Straffon, K.B. Welch, and W.J. Loesche The Transmission of Anaerobic Periodontopathic Organisms J. Dent. Res., February 1, 2006; 85(2): 182 - 186. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. P. Gafan, V. S. Lucas, G. J. Roberts, A. Petrie, M. Wilson, and D. A. Spratt Prevalence of Periodontal Pathogens in Dental Plaque of Children J. Clin. Microbiol., September 1, 2004; 42(9): 4141 - 4146. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]