biochemical properties of actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans[Aa] and their effects on cell-mediated immunity in periodontally affected patients

ABSTRACT

Lymphocytes were cultured from patients with chronic gingivitis, marginal periodontitis and from matched healthy subjects. Lymphocyte transformation was significantly suppressed by all the examined As Strains [9710, 109, in a dose dependent fashion. Aa-immunosuppression was due to direct toxic effects on lymphocytes. The suppressive factor is heatstable, endotoxic and non-specific [due to effect on PPD]. The data presented in this paper support the claim that, the increase in severity of periodontal disease corresponded to a marked decrease in cell-mediated immune responses to bacterial antigens. Subsequently, the suppression of cellular immunity in subjects with starting periodontal trouble could be considered as a warning signal of the progression of the disease to its severe form