Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and its relationship to initiation of localized aggressive periodontitis: longitudinal cohort study of initially healthy adolescents.

ABSTRACT: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is frequently associated with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP); however, longitudinal cohort studies relating A. actinomycetemcomitans to initiation of LAP have not been reported. A periodontal assessment was performed on 1,075 primarily African-American and Hispanic schoolchildren, ages 11 to 17 years. Samples were taken from each child for A. actinomycetemcomitans. A cohort of 96 students was established that included a test group of 38 A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive students (36 periodontally healthy and 2 with periodontal pockets) and 58 healthy A. actinomycetemcomitans-negative controls. All clinical and microbiological procedures were repeated at 6-month intervals. Bitewing radiographs were taken annually for definitive diagnosis of LA

SUBMITTER: Fine DH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2168549 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature