Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans genotyping

aa3 Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a gram-negative, capnophilic, anaerobe, fermentative coccobacillus bacterium that represents a major human periodontal pathogen.

This bacterium is implicated in the aetiology and pathogenesis of localized juvenile periodontitis and aggressive or chronic periodontitis in adult. Moreover Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has the ability to penetrate in the surrounding subgingival tissues of periodontal pockets and enters the blood stream. In the body it can play an important role in non-oral infections such as septicaemia, meningitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, lung and brain abscesses.

Nowadays it exist different strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans, classified in five different serotypes: a, b, c, d, and e. "The frequency distribution of these serotypes differ among populations. For example, In the United States, serotype b is detected more frequently than serotypes a and c in patients with localized juvenile periodontitis. In Finland, serotype b is predominant in periodontitis patients and serotype c is frequently isolated in periodontally healthy individuals. In Japanese patients with periodontitis, serotypes a, c, and e are predominant " (Suzuki, et al. 2001). The virulence and the pathogenic role of the organism differ among serotypes and among populations.

Some strains produce a potent leukotoxin as a major virulence factor that destroy human polymorphonuclear cells (leukocytes involved in bacteria and parasites recognition and destruction) and then can cause severe periodontal destruction.

Evidence for the role of highly leukotoxic strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans in juvenile and aggressive periodontitis implies that early identification of the organism is essential when patient at risk are suspected.

Then, a genetic test that permits to identify as early as possible the A. actinomycetemcomitans strain or serotype present in the patient is indispensable to evaluate leukotoxicity potential. It may facilitate prophylactic intervention that could prevent the onset of disease, and/or enhance the efficacy of therapeutic techniques.

IAI executes such molecular test and proposes an A. actinomycetemcomitans genotyping to identify the serotypes present.

AA genotyping may alter the dental treatment to include routine microbial testing of disease-susceptible individuals and persons with previous A. actinomycetemcomitans infections. This may result in prophylactic antibiotic therapy, shorter recalls (maintenance visits) for the potential prevention or suppression of recolonization, and a more aggressive surgical plan.You can command the free kits here.

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