Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF) is an important part of the human and animal intestinal microbiota and is commonly associated with diarrhea. ETBF strains produce an enterotoxin encoded by the bft gene located in the B. fragilis pathogenicity island (BfPAI). Non-enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (NTBF) strains lack the BfPAI and usually show two different genetic patterns, II and III, based on the absence or presence of a BfPAI-flanking region, respectively. The incidence of ETBF and NTBF strains in fecal samples isolated from children without acute diarrhea or any other intestinal disorders was determined. All 84 fecal samples evaluated were B. fragilis-positive by PCR, four of them harbored the bft gene, 27 contained the NTBF pattern III DNA sequence, and 52 were considered to be NTBF pattern II samples. One sample was positive for both ETBF and NTBF pattern III DNA sequences. All 19 B. fragilis strains isolated by the culture method were bft-negative, 9 belonged to pattern III and 10 to pattern II. We present an updated overview of the ETBF and NTBF incidence in the fecal microbiota of children from Sao Paulo City, Brazil.

Objectivo In this study, the gingival conditions and the quantitative detection for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia in pregnant women were determined. Material and Methods Quantitative determinations of periodontal bacteria by using a SyBr green system in women during pregnancy were performed. Women at the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy and non-pregnant women were included in this study. A. actinomycetemcomitans was observed in high numbers in women at the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy with a significant difference (p<0.05). F. nucleatum and P. intermedia were also observed in high levels. Results and Conclusion Our results show that pregnant women are more susceptible to gingivitis, and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in subgingival biofilm might be taken into account for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Objectives: Primary teeth work as guides for the eruption of permanent dentition, contribute for the development of the jaws, chewing process, preparing food for digestion, and nutrient assimilation. Treatment of pulp necrosis in primary teeth is complex due to anatomical and physiological characteristics and high number of bacterial species present in endodontic infections. The bacterial presence alone or in association in necrotic pulp and fistula samples from primary teeth of boys and girls was evaluated. Material and Methods: Necrotic pulp (103) and fistula (7) samples from deciduous teeth with deep caries of 110 children were evaluated. Bacterial morphotypes and species from all clinical samples were determined. Results: A predominance of gram-positive cocci (81.8%) and gram-negative coccobacilli (49.1%) was observed. In 88 out of 103 pulp samples, a high prevalence of Enterococcus spp. (50%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (49%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (25%) and Prevotella nigrescens (11.4%) was observed. Porphyromonas gingivalis was detected in three out of seven fistula samples, Enterococcus spp. in two out of seven samples, and F. nucleatum, P. nigrescens and D. pneumosintes in one out of seven samples. Conclusions: Our results show that Enterococcus spp. and P. gingivalis were prevalent in necrotic pulp from deciduous teeth in boys from 2 to 5 years old, and that care of the oral cavity of children up to five years of age is important.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of yeasts, pseudomonads and enteric bacteria in the oral cavity of patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for treatment of head and neck cancer. Fifty patients receiving RT were examined before, during and 30 days after RT. Saliva, mucosa, and biofilm samples were collected and microorganisms were detected by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The most prevalent yeasts in patients submitted to RT were Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, and Pseudomonas were the most frequently cultivated bacteria. Before RT, targeted bacteria were cultivated from 22.2% of edentulous patients and 16.6% of dentate patients; 30 days after RT, these microorganisms were recovered from 77.8% edentulous and 46.8% dentate patients. By PCR, these microorganisms were detected from all edentulous patients, 78.1% of dentate patients. The presence of Gram-negative enteric roads and fungi was particularly frequent in patients presenting mucositis level III or IV. Modifications in the oral environment due to RT treatment seem to facilitate the colonization of oral cavity by members of family Enterobacteriaceae, genera Enterococcus and Candida.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the antimicrobial resistance profile and the prevalence of resistance genes in Bacteroides spp. and Parabacteroides distasonis strains isolated from children's intestinal microbiota. METHODS: The susceptibility of these bacteria to 10 antimicrobials was determined using an agar dilution method. β-lactamase activity was assessed by hydrolysis of the chromogenic cephalosporin of 114 Bacteriodales strains isolated from the fecal samples of 39 children, and the presence of resistance genes was tested using a PCR assay. RESULTS: All strains were susceptible to imipenem and metronidazole. The following resistance rates were observed: amoxicillin (93%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (47.3%), ampicillin (96.4%), cephalexin (99%), cefoxitin (23%), penicillin (99%), clindamycin (34.2%) and tetracycline (53.5%). P-lactamase production was verified in 92% of the evaluated strains. The presence of the cfiA, cepA, ermF, tetQ and nim genes was observed in 62.3%, 76.3%, 27%, 79.8% and 7.8% of the strains, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate an increase in the resistance to several antibiotics in intestinal Bacteroides spp. and Parabacteroides distasonis and demonstrate that these microorganisms harbor antimicrobial resistance genes that may be transferred to other susceptible intestinal strains.

Chronic osteomyelitis of maxilla and mandible is rare in industrialized countries and its occurrence in developing countries is associated with trauma and surgery, and its microbial etiology has not been studied thoroughly. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the microbiota associated with osteomyelitis of mandible or maxilla from some Brazilian patients. After clinical and radiographic evaluation, samples of bone sequestra, purulent secretion, and biopsies of granulomatous tissues from twenty-two patients with chronic osteomyelitis of mandible and maxilla were cultivated and submitted for pathogen detection by using a PCR method. Each patient harbored a single lesion. Bacterial isolation was performed on fastidious anaerobe agar supplemented with hemin, menadione and horse blood for anaerobes; and on tryptic soy agar supplemented with yeast extract and horse blood for facultative bacteria and aerobes. Plates were incubated in anaerobiosis and aerobiosis, at 37ºC for 14 and 3 days, respectively. Bacteria were cultivated from twelve patient samples; and genera Actinomyces, Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, and Staphylococcus were the most frequent. By PCR, bacterial DNA was detected from sixteen patient samples. The results suggest that cases of chronic osteomyelitis of the jaws are usually mixed anaerobic infections, reinforcing the concept that osteomyelitis of the jaws are mainly related to microorganisms from the oral environment, and periapical and periodontal infections may act as predisposing factors.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is associated with periodontal disease, especially localized aggressive periodontitis, produces a potent leukotoxin and its distribution is influenced by ethnic characteristics of the population. Objective: Using culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, this study evaluated the occurrence of this microorganism and the distribution of leukotoxic strains isolated from Indians belonging to the Umutima Reservation, Mato Grosso, Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight native Brazilians with gingivitis and 38 with chronic periodontitis, belonging to Umutina, Paresi, Bororo, Bakairi, Kayabi, Irantxe, Nambikwara and Terena ethnicities, were studied. Subgingival, supragingival and saliva samples of each patient were collected and transferred to VMGA III medium and to ultra pure Milli Q water. Bacteria were grown on TSBV agar and incubated in anaerobiosis (90% N2 + 10% CO2) at 37ºC for 72 h. The presence of the ltx promoter was determined by PCR, and a 530 bp deletion in the promoter was evaluated by using specific primers. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans was isolated from 8.33% of saliva, supragingival and subgingival samples from patients with gingivitis and from 18.42% of saliva and supragingival biofilm, and 26.32% subgingival biofilm from patients with chronic periodontitis. By PCR, the bacterial DNA was detected in 8.33% of saliva, supragingival and subgingival biofilms from patients with gingivitis and from 23.68% of saliva, 28.95% supragingival biofilm and 34.21% subgingival biofilm from patients with periodontitis. All strains were grouped as non-JP2 clones based on the absence of deletion in the leukotoxin promoter. Differences among the microbial and clinical parameters in patients were analyzed by using the Mann-Whitney, Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that A. actinomycetemcomitans can be related to the attachment loss in this population, but the presence of minimally leukotoxic strains, as well as its role in the pathogenesis of the periodontitis in these native Brazilians need to be further investigated.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans é um importante agente etiológico da periodontite e produz infecções extra-bucais. Neste estudo, foram detectados os biótipos, o gene ltxA associado à produção de leucotoxina e o promotor ltx em A. actinomycetemcomitans de pacientes com e sem periodontite. A atividade leucotóxica sobre células HL-60 também foi avaliada. A atividade leucotóxica foi determinada através do método de exclusão do azul de tripam. A deleção de 530 bp no promotor ltx foi avaliada usando-se o par de iniciadores PRO. A. actinomycetemcomitans foi detectado por cultura e por PCR. Por cultura, A. actinomycetemcomitans foi detectado em nove pacientes com periodontite (18%) e em um indivíduo sadio (2%). Por PCR esse microrganismo foi detectado em 44% dos pacientes com periodontite e em 16% dos saudáveis. Verificou-se diferença estatística entre a detecção do promotor do operon ltx, por PCR, diretamente do biofilme subgengival e do DNA bacteriano. Somente uma amostra clínica apresentou A. actinomycetemcomitans altamente leukotóxico. O biótipo II foi o mais prevalente e não foi observada correlação biótipo-atividade leucotóxica. A expressão da leucotoxina por A. actinomycetemcomitans na doença periodontal e outras doenças infecciosas necessita ser avaliado.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is an important etiologic agent of the periodontitis and is associated with extra-oral infections. In this study, the detection of the ltxA gene as well as the ltx promoter region from leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans isolated from 50 Brazilian patients with periodontitis and 50 healthy subjects was performed. The leukotoxic activity on HL-60 cells was also evaluated. Leukotoxic activity was determined using a trypan blue exclusion method. The 530 bp deletion in the promoter region was evaluated by PCR using a PRO primer pair. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected by culture and directly from crude subgingival biofilm by PCR using specific primers. By culture, A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in nine (18%) of the periodontal patients and one (2%) healthy subject. However, by PCR, this organism was detected in 44% of the periodontal patients and in 16% of the healthy subjects. It was verified a great discrepancy between PCR detection of the ltx operon promoter directly from crude subgingival biofilm and from bacterial DNA. Only one periodontal sample harbored highly leukotoxic A. actinomycetemcomitans. Moreover, biotype II was the most prevalent and no correlation between biotypes and leukotoxic activity was observed. The diversity of leukotoxin expression by A. actinomycetemcomitans suggests a role of this toxin in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease and other infectious diseases.

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a ocorrência de bactérias entéricas e leveduras no biofilme subgengival de pacientes HIV-positivos com gengivite crônica ou periodontite necrosante. Os pacientes foram submetidos a exame clínico e radiográfico e de higiene bucal, sangramento à sondagem, condições gengivais e a perda de inserção. Os espécimes clínicos de sulcos gengivais ou bolsas periodontais foram inoculados em ágar Sabouraud dextrose com 100 mg/ml de cloranfenicol, água peptonada, caldo EVA, ágar EMB, ágar SS, ágar Bile esculina e ágar verde brilhante. O cultivo de leveduras foi realizado à temperatura ambiente, de 3-7 dias; das enterobactérias a 37ºC de 24-48 h. A identificação das leveduras foi realizada pela assimilação de carbono e nitrogênio, fermentação de açucares e formação de tubo germinativo. As bactérias de acordo com a morfologia celular e colonial e testes bioquímicos. Foram identificadas Candida albicans e sua prevalência foi maior em pacientes com contagens de CD4+ < 200/mm³, e sua ocorrência foi afetada pela extensão da destruição periodontal (P = 0,0345). Enterobacteriaceae e enterococos foram detectados em 32,5% dos pacientes com periodontite necrosante. As enterobactérias foram Enterobacter sakazakii, E. cloacae, Serratia liquefaciens, Klebsiella oxytoca e Enterococcus sp. Concluiu-se que bactérias patogênicas exógenas à cavidade bucal e C. albicans podem ser detectadas no biofilme subgengival de pacientes HIV-positivos com periodontite necrosante e gengivite.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of enteric bacteria and yeasts in biofilm of 80 HIV-positive patients with plaque-associated gingivitis or necrotizing periodontitis. Patients were subjected to extra, intra oral and radiographic examinations. The oral hygiene, bleeding on probing, gingival conditions, and attachment loss were evaluated. Clinical specimens were collected from gingival crevices or periodontal pockets, transferred to VMGA III, diluted and transferred to Sabouraud Dextrose agar with 100 µg/ml of chloramphenicol, peptone water, EVA broth, EMB agar, SS agar, Bile esculin agar and Brilliant green agar. Isolation of yeasts was carried out at room temperature, for 3-7 days; and for the isolation of enteric microorganisms plates were incubated at 37ºC, for 24-48 h. The yeasts identification was performed according to the carbon and nitrogen assimilation, fermentation of carbohydrates and germ tube formation. Bacteria were identified according to their colonial and cellular morphologies and biochemical tests. Yeasts were identified as Candida albicans and its occurrence was more common in patients with CD4+ below 200/mm³ and was affected by the extension of periodontal involvement (P = 0.0345). Enteric bacteria recovered from clinical specimens were identified as Enterobacter sakazakii, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia liquefaciens, Klebsiella oxytoca and Enterococcus sp. Enterobacteriaceae and enterococci were detected in 32.5% of clinical samples from patients with necrotizing periodontitis. In conclusion, non-oral pathogenic bacteria and C. albicans were more prevalent in periodontal sites of HIV-positive patients with necrotizing periodontitis and chronic gingivitis.

Neste estudo, a presença de patógenos periodontais, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythensis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Dialister pneumosintes, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens e Treponema denticola foi determinada por PCR, em amostras subgengivais de 40 cães com (25) e sem (15) doença periodontal. Os produtos amplificados pelo PCR para cada espécie bacteriana mostraram amplicons específicos. Dos 25 cães apresentando doença periodontal, P. gingivalis foi detectado em 16 amostras (64%), C. rectus em 9 (36%), A. actinomycetemcomitans em 6 (24%), P. intermedia em 5 (20%), T. forsythensis em 5 (20%), F. nucleatum em 4 (16%) e E. corrodens em 3 (12%). Em nenhuma amostra clínica periodontal foi observada a presença de T. denticola ou D. pneumosintes. Adicionalmente, P. gingivalis foi detectado em apenas um (6,66%) cão saudável, sem raça definida. Nossos resultados mostram que esses microrganismos estão presentes na microbiota periodontal de cães com periodontitis, e isto torna importante a avaliação do papel que esses microrganismos periodontais desempenham na periodontite de animais domésticos, particularmente cães, em termos ecológicos e terapêuticos, desde que esses cães podem adquirir esses periodontopatógenos de seus respectivos proprietários.

In this study, the presence of putative periodontal organisms, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythensis, Fusobacterium nucleatum,Dialister pneumosintes,Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans,Campylobacter rectus,Eikenella corrodens and Treponema denticola were examined from subgingival samples of 40 dogs of different breeds with (25) and without (15) periodontitis, by using the PCR method. The PCR products of each species showed specific amplicons. Of the 25 dogs with periodontitis, P. gingivalis was detected in 16 (64%) samples, C. rectus in 9 (36%), A. actinomycetemcomitans in 6 (24%), P. intermedia in 5 (20%), T. forsythensis in 5 (20%), F. nucleatum in 4 (16%) and E. corrodens in 3 (12%). T. denticola and D. pneumosintes were not detected in clinical samples from dogs with periodontitis. Moreover, P. gingivalis was detected only in one (6.66%) crossbred dog without periodontitis. Our results show that these microorganisms are present in periodontal microbiota of dogs with periodontitits, and it is important to evaluate the role of these putative periodontal microorganisms play in the periodontitis in household pets particularly, dogs in ecologic and therapeutic terms, since these animals might acquire these periodontopahogens from their respective owners.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans produz protease ativa sobre imunoglobulina G humana, sendo um dos mecanismos importantes de escape do microrganismo. No presente trabalho, foi analisada a atividade proteolítica de sobrenadante de cultivo de A. actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 43718 sobre imunoglobulina G humana em função de concentração, tempo de cultivo do microrganismo e tempo de incubação com IgG, por ensaio imunoenzimático. Adicionalmente, foi determinada a fração com atividade de protease por meio de análise de eluatos de cromatografia em coluna de Sephadex G 150. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que A. actinomycetemcomitans liberou protease ativa sobre imunoglobulina G humana em sobrenadante de cultivo, sendo a sua maior atividade evidenciada na concentração de 27,5 mig proteína/mL, com tempo de cultivo de 72 horas e com 24 horas de incubação com IgG. A massa molecular da fração ativa de protease foi compreendida entre 43 a 150 kDa.

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans produces a protease to human immunoglobulin G that is an important evasion mechanism. In this study, the proteolytic activity of A. actinomycetemcomitans strain ATCC 43718 on human immunoglobulin G associated with culture supernatant concentrations, the growth period and the period of incubation with immunoglobulin G were evaluated by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The protease fraction was detected by Sephadex G 150 chromatography. The results showed that A. actinomycetemcomitans produced a protease to human immunoglobulin G in the culture supernatant, and the highest activity was achieved witen the concentration was 27.5 mug protein/mL, after culturing for 72 hours and incubating with IgG for 24 hours. The molecular mass of the protease active fraction was from 43 to 150 kDa.

Neste estudo foram avaliadas a colonização e a susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos de P. intermedia e P. gingivalis isolados de amostras de sulcus gengivais e peri-implantares. As amostras foram coletadas de 30 pacientes submetidos a implantes, em três tempos diferentes: no momento da cirurgia, 20 e 60 dias após a instalação do implante. Os organismos foram identificados por testes bioquímicos ou por kit comercial API 32-A e por PCR. A susceptibilidade antimicrobiana foi determinada usando-se o método de diluição em ágar. Foram isolados dezenove P. intermedia (quatro de peri-implantites e 15 de sulco gengival) e somente sete P. gingivalis de sulco gengival. Pelo PCR os organismos foram detectados de sete amostras sete peri-implantares e de 32 gengivais. As bactérias foram susceptíveis aos antibióticos usados exceto para azitromicina com 65% de resistência para P. intermedia. As espécies avaliadas foram sensíveis para cádmio, níquel e paládio, e mostraram diferentes faixas de resistência para titânio, alumínio e bicloreto de mercúrio. A maioria de P. intermedia foi resistente para chumbo, prata, cobre, titânio, zinco, alumínio e bicloreto de mercúrio. As bactérias colonizaram implantes após 60 dias de cirurgia e PCR pode ser usado como ferramenta para a detecção bacteriana na implantodontia.

The colonization and antimicrobial susceptibility of P. intermedia and P. gingivalis isolated from peri-implant and gingival sulcus samples were determined. Samples were collected from 30 patients submitted to implant in three different times: at the moment of the surgery, 20 and 60 days after the implant installation. Organisms were identified by using a biochemical tests or API 32-A kit and by PCR. The antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by using an agar dilution method. Nineteen P. intermedia (4 from peri-implant sites and 15 from gingival sulcus), and only seven P. gingivalis from gingival sulcus were isolated. Organisms were detected by PCR from seven peri-implant and 32 gingival samples. Bacteria were susceptible to the used antibiotics except to azithromycin with 65% of resistance for P. intermedia strains. Both tested species were susceptible to cadmium, nickel and palladium, and showed different resistance rates to titanium, aluminum and mercuric chloride. Most of P. intermedia strains were resistant to lead, silver, copper, titanium, zinc, aluminum and mercuric chloride. Bacteria colonized implants after 60 days of surgery and PCR may be used as a tool for bacterial detection in implantology.

A presença dos ADN de Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis e Prevotella intermedia em amostras coletadas de sulco periimplantar de 19 pacientes parcialmente desdentados foi analisada pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Dentre esses 19 pacientes, dez apresentavam histórico de doença periodontal e nove não apresentavam antecedentes. Os resultados obtidos nesta análise foram relacionados com a profundidade do sulco periimplantar, o sangramento à sondagem e o provável risco de doença. Constatou-se que houve a amplificação do ADN das bactérias-alvo em sete amostras, sendo quatro de pacientes sem histórico de periodontopatia. Este resultado sugere que mesmo na ausência de sinais inflamatórios significantes, essa detecção qualitativa pode indicar risco de periimplantite, requerendo manutenção pós-operatória mais rigorosa.

The presence of DNA of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia in the peri-implant sulcus samples of 19 partially edentulous patients was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and related to the depth of the peri-implant sulcus, bleeding on probing, and probable risk of disease. Ten of those patients presented a history of periodontal disease and nine of those did not. The DNA amplification of these pathogens was observed in seven samples, of which four were from patients without history of periodontal disease. The results suggest that even when significant inflammatory signs are absent the qualitative detection may indicate risk of peri-implantitis, requiring more strict postoperative control.

OBJETIVO: Realizar a detecção comparativa de A. actinomycetemcomitans e F. nucleatum de sítios periodontais e sadios. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas amostras subgengivais de 50 pacientes com periodontite do adulto e de 50 indivíduos sadios. Ambos os organismos foram isolados em meio ágar de soja tripticaseína-bacitracina-vancomicina e detectados por PCR. Testes bioquímicos convencionais foram usados para a identificação bacteriana. RESULTADOS: A. actinomycetemcomitans e F. nucleatum foram isolados em 18 e 20% dos pacientes, respectivamente, e em 2 e 24% dos indivíduos sadios. Entre os isolados de A. actinomycetemcomitans, o biótipo II foi o mais prevalente. O par de iniciadores AA mostrou 100% de sensibilidade na detecção de A. actinomycetemcomitans, em ambos os grupos de indivíduos. Iniciadores ASH e FU foram também 100% sensíveis para detectar esse organismo em amostras de indivíduos sadios. O iniciador FN5047 foi mais sensível para detectar F. nucleatum em amostras de pacientes ou de sadios que o 5059S. Iniciadores ASH e 5059S foram mais específicos na detecção de A. actinomycetemcomitans e F. nucleatum, respectivamente, em amostras de pacientes e de sadios. CONCLUSÕES: PCR constitui-se uma ferramenta efetiva na detecção de patógenos periodontais de espécimes clínicos, fornecendo um diagnóstico rápido e seguro da doença periodontal. Entretanto, esse método depende da escolha dos iniciadores específicos utilizados.

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively detect A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum from periodontal and healthy sites. METHODS: Subgingival clinical samples from 50 periodontitis adult patients and 50 healthy subjects were analyzed. Both organisms were isolated using a trypticase soy agar-bacitracin-vancomycin (TSBV) medium and detected by PCR. Conventional biochemical tests were used for bacteria identification. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum were isolated in 18% and 20% of the patients, respectively, and in 2% and 24% of healthy subjects. Among A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates, biotype II was the most prevalent. Primer pair AA was 100% sensitive in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans from both subject groups. Primers ASH and FU were also 100% sensitive to detect this organism in healthy subject samples. Primer pair FN5047 was more sensitive to detect F. nucleatum in patients or in healthy samples than primer 5059S. Primers ASH and 5059S were more specific in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum, respectively, in patients and in healthy subject samples. CONCLUSIONS: PCR is an effective tool for detecting periodontal pathogens in subgingival samples, providing a faster and safer diagnostic tool of periodontal diseases. The method's sensitivity and specificity is conditioned by the choice of the set of primers used.

OBJETIVO: Realizar a detecção comparativa de A. actinomycetemcomitans e F. nucleatum de sítios periodontais e sadios. MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas amostras subgengivais de 50 pacientes com periodontite do adulto e de 50 indivíduos sadios. Ambos os organismos foram isolados em meio ágar de soja tripticaseína-bacitracina-vancomicina e detectados por PCR. Testes bioquímicos convencionais foram usados para a identificação bacteriana. RESULTADOS: A. actinomycetemcomitans e F. nucleatum foram isolados em 18 e 20% dos pacientes, respectivamente, e em 2 e 24% dos indivíduos sadios. Entre os isolados de A. actinomycetemcomitans, o biótipo II foi o mais prevalente. O par de iniciadores AA mostrou 100% de sensibilidade na detecção de A. actinomycetemcomitans, em ambos os grupos de indivíduos. Iniciadores ASH e FU foram também 100% sensíveis para detectar esse organismo em amostras de indivíduos sadios. O iniciador FN5047 foi mais sensível para detectar F. nucleatum em amostras de pacientes ou de sadios que o 5059S. Iniciadores ASH e 5059S foram mais específicos na detecção de A. actinomycetemcomitans e F. nucleatum, respectivamente, em amostras de pacientes e de sadios. CONCLUSÕES: PCR constitui-se uma ferramenta efetiva na detecção de patógenos periodontais de espécimes clínicos, fornecendo um diagnóstico rápido e seguro da doença periodontal. Entretanto, esse método depende da escolha dos iniciadores específicos utilizados.

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively detect A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum from periodontal and healthy sites. METHODS: Subgingival clinical samples from 50 periodontitis adult patients and 50 healthy subjects were analyzed. Both organisms were isolated using a trypticase soy agar-bacitracin-vancomycin (TSBV) medium and detected by PCR. Conventional biochemical tests were used for bacteria identification. RESULTS: A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum were isolated in 18% and 20% of the patients, respectively, and in 2% and 24% of healthy subjects. Among A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates, biotype II was the most prevalent. Primer pair AA was 100% sensitive in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans from both subject groups. Primers ASH and FU were also 100% sensitive to detect this organism in healthy subject samples. Primer pair FN5047 was more sensitive to detect F. nucleatum in patients or in healthy samples than primer 5059S. Primers ASH and 5059S were more specific in the detection of A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum, respectively, in patients and in healthy subject samples. CONCLUSIONS: PCR is an effective tool for detecting periodontal pathogens in subgingival samples, providing a faster and safer diagnostic tool of periodontal diseases. The method's sensitivity and specificity is conditioned by the choice of the set of primers used.