J Korean Acad Periodontol.  2008 Dec;38(4):691-698. 10.5051/jkape.2008.38.4.691.

Visualization of periodontopathic bacteria within crevicular epithelial cells with fluorescence in situ hybridization

• Ko Y

• KMID: 1999601
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5051/jkape.2008.38.4.691

Abstract

PURPOSE
Periodontal pathogens can invade the host tissue. Morphologic studies have revealed bacteria within the pocket epithelium, gingival connective tissues, alveolar bone, and oral epithelium. The objective of this study was to visualize and evaluate presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia in crevicular epithelial cells of periodontally healthy subjects and chronic periodontitis patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 666 crevicular epithelial cells in the samples obtained from 27 chronic periodontitis patients and 9 healthy volunteers were examined. Specific probes for P. gingivalis and T. forsythia and a universal probe for detection of all eubacteria targeting 16S rRNA for fluorescence in situ hybridization was used in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy.
RESULTS
98.99% of sulcular epithelial cells from healthy volunteers and 84.40% of pocket epithelial cells from periodontitis patients were found to harbor bacteria. P. gingivalis and T. forsythia were discovered more often in crevicular epithelial cells from periodontitis patients.
CONCLUSION
P. gingivalis and T. forsythia can invade crevicular epithelial cells and intracellular bacteria may act as a source of bacteria for persistent infection.

Keyword

bacterial invasion; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Tannerella forsythia; gingival epithelial cells

MeSH Terms

Bacteria
Chronic Periodontitis
Collodion
Connective Tissue
Epithelial Cells
Epithelium
Fluorescence
Forsythia
Humans
In Situ Hybridization
Periodontitis
Porphyromonas gingivalis
Collodion