The transmission of BANA-positive periodontal bacterial species from caregivers to children.

Background: The purpose of the authors' study was to use the N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthy-lamide (BANA) test (BANAMet LLC, Ann Arbor, Mich.) to obtain information regarding the prevalence of an enzyme unique to certain periodontal pathogens in plaque samples of children, as well as the potential transmission of these pathogens from caregivers to children.

Methods: The authors tested 218 subjects (3 to 10 years old) and 195 care-givers at four pediatric dentistry clinics in Taipei, Taiwan.