ABSTRACT
Introduction: Capnocytophaga are facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli and recognized as opportunistic pathogens of various extraoral infections. Only a few studies attempted to identify all the seven species of Capnocytophaga phenotypically and genotypically in healthy individuals and patients with chronic periodontitis. Studies to determine the prevalence of Capnocytophaga in subgingival plaque samples from healthy individuals, chronic gingivitis and periodontitis among Indian population are lacking. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify and compare the presence of Capnocytophaga species phenotypically through microbial culture and biochemical tests and genotypically through polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in subgingival plaque of healthy individuals and patients with chronic gingivitis and chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 subjects, 100 each with gingivitis, periodontitis and periodontally healthy gingiva subjected, were included. Subgingival plaque was collected and was cultured for phenotypic identification (microbial culture and biochemical test), and for genotypic identification, DNA extraction was done and PCR-RFLP analysis was performed to identify the genus Capnocytophaga and also to identify different species of Capnocytophaga. Results: Of 300 individuals, Capnocytophaga species were identified from 237 (79%) individuals by PCR and 82 (27.33%) by culture. The prevalence of Capnocytophaga ochracea was found to be higher with both the methods followed by Capnocytophaga gingivalis and Capnocytophaga granulosa. Capnocytophaga genospecies, Capnocytophaga leadbetteri and Capnocytophaga Sputigena were isolated only by culture with very low prevalence that is 1.33%, 1.33% and 0.66%, respectively. We could not get any isolate of Capnocytophaga haemolytica by any of the two methods. Conclusion: Capnocytophaga species could be found in gingival sulci as well as periodontal pockets and can be detected by culture and PCR-RFLP. However, higher prevalence of these species in healthy compared to disease requires further analysis to determine their role in healthy and diseased periodontium.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Capnocytophaga species are recognized as part of human oral microbiota and implicated as periodontal pathogens associated with various periodontal diseases. The three original Capnocytophaga species - Capnocytophaga ochracea, Capnocytophaga sputigena and Capnocytophaga gingivalis were initially isolated from periodontitis in adults, but subsequent studies demonstrated their presence also at periodontally healthy sites in both children and adults. Their association with periodontal disease is a matter of controversy. Considering the differing virulence features of the respective isolate, it is crucial to identify these isolates to species level. AIMS: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of Capnocytophaga species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) through restriction fragment length polymorphism in healthy individuals and patients with periodontal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included a total of 300 individuals, 100 each with Gingivitis, Chronic periodontitis, and Healthy individuals. The plaque samples were collected using sterile curette in reduced transport fluid. DNA extraction was carried out for PCR analysis. RESULTS: Of 300 individuals, Capnocytophaga species were identified from 237 (79%) participants in all groups. The prevalence was statistically analyzed using Chi-square test. The prevalence was more in males in gingivitis and healthy individuals (42% and 49% respectively), and females in periodontitis (40%). C. ochracea was observed in a higher proportion (36.33%), followed by C. granulosa (32.66%) and C. gingivalis (10%). They were identified more in the age group of 30-40 years in gingivitis and periodontitis, (30 and 21 individuals, respectively) and 39 individuals in 18-29 years in healthy individuals. They were present in 87% in healthy individuals, 77% in gingivitis and 73% in periodontitis. CONCLUSION: Capnocytophaga species are commonly present in healthy individuals and may be associated with periodontal disease. There is a need for further study to know the prevalence of other species of Capnocytophaga in health and disease.
