Serum antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis chaperone HtpG predict health in periodontitis susceptible patients.

Background: Chaperones are ubiquitous conserved proteins critical in stabilization of new proteins, repair/removal of defective proteins and immunodominant antigens in innate and adaptive immunity. Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory infection associated with infection by Porphyromonas gingivalis that culminates in the destruction of the supporting structures of the teeth. We previously reported studies of serum antibodies reactive with the human chaperone Hsp90 in gingivitis, a reversible form of gingival disease confined to the oral soft tissues.

Current oral contraceptive status and periodontitis in young adults.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of current hormonal contraceptive medication on periodontal health in young females.

Methods: Fifty women aged 20 to 35 years (mean +/- SD: 29.7 +/- 4.

The influence of tobacco smoking on the onset of periodontitis in young persons.

This paper reviews the evidence for cigarette smoking as a risk factor for the development of severe destructive periodontal disease in young adults. A high prevalence of cigarette smoking has been identified among young individuals with aggressive periodontitis and tobacco usage increases the risk of periodontal destruction most significantly in young populations. The effect appears to be dose related and is independent of levels of plaque accumulation.

Changes in vasoactive intestinal peptide in gingival crevicular fluid in response to periodontal treatment.

Aims: To evaluate the role of the anti-inflammatory neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in periodontal health and disease and to determine the effects of periodontal treatment, resulting in a return to periodontal health, on the levels of VIP in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF).

Methods: At baseline, 10 subjects with periodontitis (nine females, one male, mean age 43.0, SD 7.

Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis gene expression in vivo.

An etiological relationship between periodontitis, a significant oral health problem, and the anaerobe Porphyromonas gingivalis may be related to the expression of a variety of putative virulence factors. The objective of the experiments described here was to develop a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) method to examine P. gingivalis gene expression in human dental plaque from periodontitis subjects.