ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is involved in oral and systemic infections, and is associated with, eg aggressive forms of periodontitis and with endocarditis. The cagE gene encodes a ≈39 kDa putative exotoxin expressed by A. actinomycetemcomitans. The level of conservation of cagE, and its possible significance in periodontal disease, has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, the role of the cagE gene as a diagnostic marker has been investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have used conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR and whole genome sequencing data to determine the prevalence of cagE in A. actinomycetemcomitans based on analysis of: (i) 249 isolates, collected and cultivated in a Ghanaian longitudinal cohort study; (ii) a serotype b collection of 19 strains; and (iii) the 36 A. actinomycetemcomitans genomes available in the NCBI database. RESULTS: Whereas cagE was absent in the other serotypes, our data support that this gene sequence is linked to a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSION: We propose that cagE has the potential to be used as a PCR-based gene marker for the identification of a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes. This finding might be of importance in the risk assessment of the development of periodontal attachment loss in young individuals and hence suggested to be a relevant discovery in future development of new diagnostic tools and/or treatment strategies.
Subject(s)
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/genetics , Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/isolation & purification , Bacterial Toxins/genetics , Biomarkers , Exotoxins/genetics , Genes, Bacterial/genetics , Periodontitis/diagnosis , Periodontitis/microbiology , Adolescent , Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/classification , Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans/pathogenicity , Child , DNA, Bacterial/isolation & purification , Genotype , Ghana , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Periodontal Attachment Loss/diagnosis , Periodontal Attachment Loss/microbiology , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Risk Assessment , Serogroup , Whole Genome SequencingABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate feldspathic ceramic inlays luted with dual-cured resin composite or glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cement (GIC) during a 6-year follow-up. METHODS: One-hundred and eighteen Class II fired feldspathic ceramic inlays were placed in 50 patients. In each patient half of the inlays were luted with a dual-cured resin composite and the other half with a conventional glass ionomer cement. The inlays were evaluated clinically, according to modified USPHS criteria, at baseline, after 6 months and then annually over a 6-year period. RESULTS: Of the 115 inlays evaluated at 6 years, 12% in the resin composite group and 26% in the GIC group were assessed as having failed. The main reason for failure in both groups was partial fracture or total loss of the inlays. Secondary caries was found to be associated with three inlays in one high caries risk patient. One inlay was replaced because of postoperative sensitivity. CONCLUSION: A relatively high and increasing failure rate was observed over the 6-year period of the study. The failure rate was more pronounced in the GIC group.
