Possible Periodontal Pathogens Associated With Clinical Symptoms of Periodontal Disease in Japanese High School Students

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate how the components of biofilm and clinical oral status change in adolescents and to identify specific periodontal pathogens as risk markers for the onset of periodontitis. Methods: One hundred seven high school students (72 boys and 35 girls, all 15 years old) were recruited. The mesio‐lingual site of the left lower first molar was selected as the examined site. Probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), the presence of subgingival calculus, and Community Periodontal Index (CPI) were determined by examination with a WHO probe. The prevalence and proportion of seven selected periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythensis, Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, Eikenella corrodens, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotypes b and c) were determined by indirect immunofluorescent technique, and the prevalence and proportion of spirochetes were determined by their morphology under dark‐field microscopy. The relationship between the periodontal status and the bacterial condition was statistically analyzed. Results: The mean proportion of T. forsythensis was significantly higher in BOP (+) sites compared with BOP (−) sites (3.47% ± 5.35% versus 0.83% ± 1.95%) and in CPI 3 sites compared with CPI 0 sites (3.29% ± 5.28% versus 0.68% ± 1.37%). The mean proportion of C. rectus was significantly increased in BOP (+) compared with BOP (−) (2.01% ± 2.48% versus 0.79% ± 0.91%) and in CPI 3 sites compared with CPI 0 sites (2.04% ± 2.64% versus 0.80% ± 0.79%). Conclusion: The results indicated that T. forsythensis and C. rectus might be able to be used as risk markers for the onset of periodontitis. J Periodontol 2004;75:1084‐1089.