Antigenic specificity of gingival crevicular fluid antibody to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans

Elevated antibody levels to periodontopathogens in GCF have been identified and used as support for local antibody synthesis in periodontitis. This study examined both cross-sectional and longitudinal GCF samples for the antigenic specificity of antibody in the fluid. GCF samples were collected from each tooth of 27 periodontitis patients infected with A. actinomycetemcomitans. Levels of IgG antibody in the GCF were assessed by means of an ELISA and compared with serum for determination of local elevations. A proportion of those GCF samples that exhibited significantly elevated antibody were examined by Western immunoblotting to outer membrane antigens from A. actinomycetemcomitans. Homologous sera were also examined for comparison of antibody specificities. Of the sites with elevated IgG antibody, 87% were colonized by A. actinomycetemcomitans; however, 46% of sites with A. actinomycetemcomitans infection did not have elevated antibody. Cross-sectional studies identified a 78 to 100% agreement between the antibody specificities in GCF and those in serum. Additionally, patterns of antibody reactivity in both GCF and serum in the subjects were often very distinctive. Longitudinal alterations in GCF antibody were examined in 15 patients through a monitoring interval of up to 2 years and showed a general conservation of specificities. However, 7/15 patients exhibited a definite acquisition of different antibody specificities during the monitoring. These results describe a relationship between elevated local antibody and A. actinomycetemcomitans infection. Furthermore, the antibody specificities in serum appear to reflect generally the local response to this pathogen.     

The IgG antibody profile to various antigen regions of hepatitis C virus differs in oral fluid and serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C

Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be detected not only in serum but also in oral fluid. The aim of the study was to determine IgG antibody reactivity directed to six antigen regions of HCV in oral fluid and to evaluate the significance of the antibody pattern in oral fluid compared to serum. Oral fluid and serum samples of 32 HCV viremic patients were collected to detect antibodies to six antigen regions incorporated as antigen bands into modified commercial updated third generation line immuno-assay. Compared to serum, a significantly lower cumulative antibody response and reactivity to five HCV antigens was found in oral fluid. The significantly highest prevalence of oral fluid reactivity was recorded with antigen C1 (78%), whereas in serum the most significantly frequent reactivity was detected with antigen NS3 (100%). The absence of antibody reactivity with antigen E2 was similar in both body fluids. The discrepancy in antibody pattern to HCV antigens between oral fluid and serum indicates the possible existence of local viral replication, viral mutants, viral inhibitors in oral cavity and, most probably, leakage of the muco-vascular barrier.     

Clinical, microbiological and immunological studies on recurrent periodontal disease

Abstract. The present study was performed to evaluate the clinical, microbiological and immunological aspects in the early stages of recurrent periodontal disease. After clinical monitoring of pockets with recent evidence of disease recurrence, microbiological samples for cultural analysis, serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken for IgG antibody analysis from 14 sites, 7 in 6 recurrent periodontitis patients and 7 in 7 periodontally healthy control subjects. IgG responses of serum antibody to 8 gram-negative bacterial strains were compared with those of GCF sampled from the recurrent site. The results clearly demonstrated the predominance of Bacteroides gingivalis in most subgingival plaque samples during the early stages of disease recurrence; the mean proportions of B. gingivalis were significantly different from those of the healthy sites ( p <0.05). 4 out of 6 serum samples showed the elevated antibody responses to B. gingivalis 381: and this was closely correlated to homologous infection by this micro-organism in recurrent sites. Elevated serum antibody responses were also noted to Eikenella corrodens 1073 and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans Y4. However, no relationship with homologous infection was found for A. actinomycetemcomitans. 3 out of 6 GCF samples had greater antibody titers than the serum, suggesting local antibody synthesis by the gingival cells in the recurrent pockets. The present study showed that B. gingivalis might play an important role in the pathogenesis of disease recurrence in its early stages.     

Antibodies to Bacteroides gingivalis in patients with treated and untreated periodontal disease

It is proposed that the development of periodontal disease is associated with rising levels of serum and gingival crevice fluid (GCF) IgG antibodies to specific organisms, while treatment of periodontal disease is associated with a decline in specific IgG antibodies. This study examined the immune response to Bacteroides gingivalis, a suspected periodontal pathogen, in serum and GCF of patients with adult periodontitis. Three groups of subjects were studied: (1) patients with untreated adult periodontitis, (2) patients with treated adult periodontitis, and (3) patients with gingivitis (controls). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed using whole formalinized B. gingivalis (ATCC 33277) as antigen. Results showed that the untreated adult periodontitis patients had a humoral immune response to B. gingivalis, producing significantly higher serum levels of IgG antibody to that organism than did patients with treated adult periodontitis (p less than or equal to 0.01) or gingivitis (p less than or equal to 0.005). The untreated patients also demonstrated a local immune response to B. gingivalis in that their GCF levels of IgG antibody to that organism were also significantly higher than levels in treated adult periodontitis patients (p less than or equal to 0.005) and gingivitis patients (p less than or equal to 0.001). These results are consistent with reports by other investigators. However, ratios of GCF antibody to serum antibody in the untreated adult periodontitis group were not significantly higher than ratios in the other two groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine–Induced Immune Response in Oral Fluids and Serum

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 vaccine is currently being administered worldwide to address the ongoing pandemic. Although these vaccines have proven effective in preventing severe disease, the level of immunity required to prevent respiratory mucosal infection remains less well understood. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a noninvasive screening strategy such as oral fluid to monitor secreted antibodies longitudinally as potential surrogates of mucosal immunity.MethodsWe evaluated the anti-spike protein antibodies in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva and compared them to immune responses in the blood of 50 healthy health care workers following 2 doses of intramuscular Pfizer/BioNTech-BNT162b2 vaccine.ResultsThe antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike and subdomain proteins (RBD, S1, S2, and NTD) were significantly higher in serum than oral fluids but showed a greater detection rate and higher median titres in GCF than saliva. For all tested SARS-CoV-2 antigens, IgG in GCF (as opposed to saliva) showed a more significant and stronger correlation with IgG in serum. Serum-neutralising antibodies (Nab) titres also displayed a significant and stronger correlation with anti-spike protein and their subdomains in GCF than saliva. Interestingly, the time post–second dose of vaccine and sex had a similar influence on IgG in serum and GCF. However, interferon (IFN)-γ–producing T-cell responses showed no association with SARS-Cov-2 IgG antibodies in serum, GCF, or saliva and neutralisation antibodies in serum. The correlation matrix of all measured parameters grouped serum and GCF IgG parameters separately from salivary IgG parameters indicating that GCF better represents the humoural response in serum than saliva.ConclusionsWithin limitations, we propose that GCF could be a less invasive alternative to serum and more appropriate than saliva to detect antibody responses by current COVID-19 vaccines if the GCF collection procedure could be standardised. Further research is needed to investigate the suitability of GCF for community immune surveillance for vaccines.     

Serum IgG1 and IgG2 antibody responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis in patients with periodontitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Protein and carbohydrate antigens of Porphyromonas gingivalis interact with the host to produce antibody of different subclasses. IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies frequently account for approximately 90% of the total serum IgG. This work aimed to investigate serum IgG1 and IgG2 antibody responses of periodontitis patients to protein and carbohydrate-rich antigens of P. gingivalis. METHODS: Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blots of P. gingivalis antigens and proteinase K digested antigens rich in carbohydrates were used to investigate the molecular weight of antigen recognised by serum IgG1 and IgG2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure levels of IgG1 and IgG2 antibody to P. gingivalis and radial immunodiffusion was used to estimate the total concentration of IgG1 and IgG2 in serum. RESULTS: Serum IgG antibodies bound to antigens of molecular weights 47, 39 and 32 kDa. Antigen most frequently recognised by both IgG1 and IgG2 antibody had a molecular weight of 47 kDa. Serum IgG2 antibody bound to carbohydrate antigen with a molecular weight of 32 kDa but there was no recognition of carbohydrate antigens by IgG1 antibodies. There was no correlation between the titre of anti-P. gingivalis IgG1 or IgG2 antibody and the total concentration of serum IgG1 or IgG2 antibodies of all specificities. CONCLUSION: Both IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies recognised a dominant antigen of 47 kDa, probably Arg-gingipain. Much of the response to carbohydrate antigen is of the IgG2 subclass. Neither the level of IgG1 nor the IgG2 antibody specific to P. gingivalis was related to the total serum concentration of that antibody.     

The relationship of serum IgG antibody titers to periodontal pathogens to indicators of the host response in crevicular fluid

Abstract. In this study, the relationship of indicators of the local host response in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) to the serum antibody titer to periodontal pathogens was examined. 15 patients with chronic adult periodontitis were studied. GCF was collected and analyzed for the total amount of IgG, IgM, the lysosomal enzyme B-glucuronidase (BG) and α-2-macroglobulin (α2M). At the same examination, serum from these patients was collected, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays used to determine the serum IgG antibody titer to a panel of 17 periodontal pathogens (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (3 strains), Bacteroides gingivalis (4), Eikenella corrodens (2), Wolinella recta, Bacteroides intermedius (3), Fusobacterium nucleatum, and 3 Capnocytophaga species). Using Spearman rank order correlation analysis, correlation coefficients were calculated to relate the 4 indicators of host response in GCF to the serum IgG antibody titer to each of the 17 micro-organisms. The mean correlation between total IgG in GCF and the serum IgG antibody liter was positive (r=+0.30), and statistically significant correlations between total IgG in GCF and serum IgG antibody titer were observed for one strain of B. intermedius and C. ochracea. A weaker positive correlation was observed for IgM (r= 0.18). In contrast, the mean correlation between total BG in GCF and the serum antibody titer was negative (r= 0.34). Statistically significant negative correlations were observed for all 3 strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans, one strain of E. corrodens and W. recta. The mean correlation for α2M was r= -0.06. These data suggest that elevated BG activity in GCF, believed to be a marker for lysosomal enzyme released from polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the crevicular environment, may be associated with a reduced serum IgG antibody response to suspected periodontal pathogens. Furthermore, these findings imply that the development of a serum IgG antibody response to suspected periodontal pathogens is consistent with a protective host response.     

Effect of antibody in gingival crevicular fluid on early colonization of exposed root surfaces by mutans streptococci

The effect of antibody to Streptococcus mutans in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) on the recolonization of cleaned buccal root surface sites by indigenous mutans streptococci was studied. Seven subjects (mean age = 64 years) were selected from a population of 28 on the basis of the presence of appropriate sites with and without detectable immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in GCF to formalin-killed S. mutans and adequate levels of mutans streptococci in saliva available for root surface recolonization. Root surfaces exposed to GCF that did or did not contain antibody were then cleaned and sampled for residual plaque organisms (total cultivable flora and mutans streptococci) directly after cleaning (time 0) as well as 24 h later. One subject failed to recolonize at 24 h at any (antibody-positive or antibody-negative) experimental site. For each of the remaining 6 subjects, the mean levels of mutans streptococci (mean percentage of total flora) were lower at sites with IgG antibody to S. mutans in GCF than at antibody-negative sites in the same subject. In each of the 6 subjects, the site with the highest recolonization level was antibody-negative. Comparison based on intra-subject randomization of sites suggested diminished recolonization of mutans streptococci at sites with antibody 24 h after cleaning. The results support the idea that antibody in GCF can modify the early colonization of gingival root surface areas by potentially cariogenic plaque bacteria such as mutans streptococci.     

Simple and rapid detection of serum antibody to periodontopathic bacteria by dot blotting

The aim of this study was to detect the specific immunoglobulin G antibodies against periodontopathic bacteria by dot blotting. In the procedure used, bacterial preparations were blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane. After blocking the nonspecific binding sites, the diluted serum was blotted onto the preparations. The membrane was immersed in secondary antibodies and then in substrate buffer. The colored blots were then evaluated. To test the reliability of this procedure, 20 serum samples were examined for antibody: ten for anti-Porphyromonas gingivalis antibody, and the other ten for anti-Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans antibody. Five samples out of each set of ten had previously been confirmed as having high enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) titers to the antigen, while the other five had been confirmed as having average titer levels. Both whole-cell sonic extracts and fimbriae of P. gingivalis were used as antigens in the dot blotting, in order to compare their use as antigens in assays of the patients' sera. ELISA was also used to measure anti-P. gingivalis antibody titers. For the measurement of IgG antibodies against A. actinomycetemcomitans, formalin-killed whole cells were used. Fifty serum samples were examined for IgG antibodies against A. actinomycetemcomitans by dot blotting and ELISA. With both antigens, after 4 h, coloration of blots was more clearly visible for the high-titer sera than for the average-titer sera. The intensity of coloration of the blots for P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans showed correlation with the ELISA titers. A particularly significant correlation was shown when P. gingivalis fimbriae were used as antigen. These results suggest that this dot blot method is a simple and rapid means of detection of serum antibodies, and that it shows promise as a chair-side assay method.     

Crevicular IgG antibodies and recovery of Streptococcus mutans implanted by mouthrinsing

After challenge with a streptomycin-resistant strain of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans ), a tendency to higher recovery of S. mutans was found in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from surfaces with a low IgG antibody activity against S. mutans than in GCF from surfaces with a high antibody activity. This suggests that antibodies in GCF may interfere with the establishment of S. mutans on gingival tooth surfaces. In GCF collected from some sites, considerably higher IgG antibody activity was observed than in homologous serum, indicating that part of the IgG response to S. mutans was locally derived.     

Crevicular IgG antibodies and recovery of Streptococcus mutans implanted by mouthrinsing.

After challenge with a streptomycin-resistant strain of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a tendency to higher recovery of S. mutans was found in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from surfaces with a low IgG antibody activity against S. mutans than in GCF from surfaces with a high antibody activity. This suggests that antibodies in GCF may interfere with the establishment of S. mutans on gingival tooth surfaces. In GCF collected from some sites, considerably higher IgG antibody activity was observed than in homologous serum, indicating that part of the IgG response to S. mutans was locally derived.     

Antibody to collagen type I in gingival crevicular fluid

Gingival crevice fluid (GCF) was collected from inflamed sites in 20 patients before and 6 weeks after treatment. Levels of IgG to human collagen Type I were measured in the GCF and autologous serum using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared with levels in control sera. IgG antibody to collagen was detected in GCF at significantly (P less than 0.01) higher levels than in control sera, but these levels were not significantly (P greater than 0.05) different from those in autologous sera. The levels of IgG antibody in GCF and autologous sera did not alter significantly (P greater than 0.05) after treatment. IgG antibody to collagen Type I is present in GCF in the diseased and healing state.     

Crevicular fluid and serum IgG subclasses and corresponding mRNA expressing plasma cells in periodontitis lesions

Recent reports suggest that specific serum IgG subclasses are a feature of several forms of periodontitis. GCF antibodies are both serum-derived and locally produced by the abundant plasma cells of the diseased periodontal tissue. Previous work has shown that crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of IgG may be reduced in active and deep periodontal pockets when compared to other sites in chronic periodontitis patients (7). These findings, and more recent findings for IgA levels in GCF (5), suggest that GCF immunoglobulins may indicate "high risk" sites for periodontitis. In these studies, the relative distribution of IgG isotypes was not investigated, nor was the relative contribution of local and serum antibodies to the GCF immunoglobulin profile. Therefore, more precise investigation of the tissue distribution of local gingival IgG subclass producing plasma cells and their protein levels in the GCF from the same sites and in serum, was undertaken.     

IgG subclasses in gingival crevicular fluid from active versus stable periodontal sites

Since IgG subclasses are common immunoglobulins associated with the periodontium and have different biological characteristics, these subclasses were measured in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from periodontally active (greater than or equal to 2 mm clinical attachment loss within three months of sample) versus clinically similar but stable or healthy sites. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using monoclonal antibodies was performed to quantitate IgG subclass and albumin concentrations in serum and interproximal GCF samples from at least one each of the three disease categories from each of 20 periodontal maintenance patients. Although much variability existed among sites, mean IgG1 (p less than 0.05) and IgG4 (p less than 0.01) concentrations were higher in GCF from active periodontitis areas than stable sites, even though both had similar clinical characteristics. When IgG subclass concentrations were adjusted per mg albumin, both IgG1 and IgG4 levels in GCF from active sites were still significantly elevated over stable areas (p less than 0.05). Mean adjusted concentrations in GCF were generally greater than in serum, especially for IgG4 (active site GCF:serum = 24.2:1). GCF IgG4 concentrations may be useful as an indicator of the immunopathological changes which occur in active periodontitis.     

Bone turnover markers in serum and periodontal microenvironments

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is characterized by altered bone turnover, but local measurements are difficult. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to develop a method to measure multiple markers of bone turnover from single samples collected at various bone surfaces of the periodontium, and to test the ratios of these markers against more traditional serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen subjects with untreated periodontitis were recruited for sampling serum, GCF (from sites > or = 5 mm probing depth that bled on probing) and washes of periodontal bone surfaces (adjacent interproximal, vestibular cortical and trabecular bone) with a novel irrigating device. All samples were analyzed for osteocalcin (OC, bone turnover marker; RIA), cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx, bone resorption marker; ELISA) and albumin (Alb, serum protein; ELISA). Results were reported as ratios: OC/NTx to determine relative bone turnover, and OC/Alb or NTx/Alb to determine local OC or NTx production. RESULTS: The OC/NTx ratio was significantly higher (p < or = 0.05) in serum vs. GCF (OC undetectable), interproximal bone and cortical vestibular bone, but significantly lower than in trabecular vestibular bone. The OC/Alb ratio for serum was also statistically lower than for vestibular trabecular bone. The NTx/Alb ratio for serum was statistically lower than for GCF and all the bone wash test sites. The results indicated considerable local production of both OC and NTx. CONCLUSIONS: This system demonstrated that multiple markers of bone turnover can be harvested by irrigation from periodontal bone microenvironments. Bone turnover profiles from periodontal bone surfaces and GCF differed from systemic bone turnover profiles (serum) and may be valuable in tracking site-specific responses to disease or treatment.     

Evidence for local production of antibodies to auto and non-self antigens in periodontal disease

Autoimmune mechanisms may contribute to periodontal disease (PD) pathogenesis; autoantibody to collagen type 1 is produced at the periodontal site and local levels are found to be higher than in serum. OBJECTIVES: To find any evidence of autoimmune destruction in diseased periodontal tissues in patients with periodontitis. The study examines the relationship of antibodies to a self antigen collagen Type 1 and antigens from two periodontal pathogens namely Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and a non-oral bacterium Bacteroides fragilis (Bf) in disease sites and in serum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Granulomatous tissues from periodontally diseased sites and serum samples were obtained from 13 patients (15 sites) undergoing surgical therapy. Tissues were homogenized at 4 degrees C on Tris saline buffer [1 g (5 ml)-1], homogenate was centrifuged and the resultant supernatants were used in assays. Antibody to collagen and Aa, Pg and Bf in tissue eluates and serum were determined by competitive enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and conventional ELISA respectively using an alkaline phosphatase/p-nitrophenyl phosphate enzyme-substrate system. Sera from age and sex matched healthy subjects and pooled human serum were used as controls. Antibody (Ab) levels in tissues and serum were standardized by concomitant albumin assay. RESULTS: Level of antibodies to collagen type 1 in tissue was significantly higher than in serum (P = 0.0001). Antibody levels in tissue to Pg were significantly higher than in serum (P = 0.0271). Ab levels to both Aa and Bf in tissues and serum were not significantly different from each other. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the process of the local production of antibodies to autoantigen namely collagen type-1 and to bacterial antigens in the granulomatous tissues housed within the periodontal lesions in patients with periodontitis.     

龈沟液中存在白细胞介素8降解酶及其自身抗体

目的探究龈沟液中是否存在白细胞介素８（ｉｎｔｅｒｌｅｕｋｉｎ８,ＩＬ８）的抑制因子。方法（１）将１３例成人牙周炎的１４份及８例牙周健康者的９份龈沟液样本各自一分为二,１／２加入丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂──苯甲基磺酰氟,另１／２加入等量的磷酸盐缓冲液作为对照。ＥＬＩＳＡ法检测各样本中的ＩＬ８含量。（２）对１５例成人牙周炎的４１份龈沟液样本,用间接ＥＬＩＳＡ法测定龈沟液中的ＩＬ８自身抗体（ＩｇＧ）。结果（１）加入酶抑制剂的龈沟液中ＩＬ８的检出量（３．０１ｍｇ／Ｌ±５．７９ｍｇ／Ｌ）显著高于对照组（０．０５ｍｇ／Ｌ±０．１５ｍｇ／Ｌ）,Ｐ＜０．００１。（２）龈沟液中ＩＬ８自身抗体水平高于阴性对照标准差３倍。龈沟液中加入大肠杆菌超声粉碎液对此检测结果无明显影响。结论龈沟液中存在能降解ＩＬ８的丝氨酸蛋白酶;成人牙周炎的龈沟液中存在ＩＬ８自身抗体     

Cytokeratin 20-expressing M cells in tonsils take up particulate antigen. A site for the delivery of vaccines against oral pathogens?

Quantitative and qualitative control of oral bacterial flora is a major issue in oral pathology and in the prophylaxis against cavities. Recent findings suggest that it is possible to induce local immune responses delivering antigens on palatine tonsils. M cells play an important role in the start of the immune response. These cells are located in the epithelia overlaying mucosal lymphoid follicles and are responsible for the uptake of particulate antigens. The identification of reliable markers for M cell is therefore extremely important. Since it has been reported that tonsillar immunization leads to the secretion of high levels of specific salivary antibody, we undertook a study to identify a marker for tonsillar M cells in order to plan strategies of oral immunization against oral pathogens. We studied cytokeratin 20 expression in rabbit tonsils by immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. Cytokeratin 20 immunoreactive cells were observed in all samples examined. These cells were identified as M cells as they co-expressed vimentin, a well-known marker of rabbit M cells, and they actively uptook particulate material. It is therefore possible to hypothesize the use of tonsil M cells as a possible site for antigen delivery of particle-based vaccines against oral pathogens.     

Salivary and serum antibody response to Streptococcus mutans antigens in humans

Humoral immunity against Streptococcus mutans infection was analyzed in caries-active and caries-free young adults by immunoblotting. All volunteers from both groups had detectable salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) and serum IgG antibodies, with similar profiles. They could be classified on the basis of relative intensity of the immunoblot bands into categories of high or low responders. Common protein antigens with molecular weight ranging from approximately 45 to 190 kDa could be found either extracellularly or associated with the cell wall of S. mutans cultured in vitro. The predominant reactive antigens recognized by both IgA and IgG were of proteins around 63 and 60 kDa. Detection of IgA antibodies to the various antigens of S. mutans in individual saliva samples did not always correlate with serum IgG antibody profiles. In addition, distinct bands, which reacted preferentially with either IgA or IgG, could be detected by antibodies from specific subjects. Differential reactivities of salivary IgA and serum IgG antibodies to two, cell-wall associated protein antigens around 33 and 36 kDa were found in caries-active and caries-free young adults; 30.8% of caries-free subjects and 12% of caries-active subjects (P < 0.01) exhibited detectable antibody response to these antigens. This difference was not attributable to variations in antibody levels, since antibody response to these proteins were still detectable in some caries-free but not caries-active individuals whose levels of antibodies to other antigens were low. Thus, a new antibody profile which correlates with dental caries disease activity has been identified in a selected population. Differences in mucosal and systemic immune responses to S. mutans seem to be both antigen and host dependent.     

胃病患者口腔中的幽门螺杆菌

目的 通过多聚酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）检测胃病患者的幽门螺杆菌。方法 从１３例有上消化道症状经内镜检查证实的胃病患者采集胃粘膜,口腔含漱液和６个牙位的龈上及龈下菌斑,应用ＰＣＲ检测标本中的Ｈｐ。同时用酶联免疫法（ＥＬＩＳＡ）检测静脉血,唾液、龈沟液中抗Ｈｐ的特异性ＩｇＧ抗体。结果 ＰＣＲ检测胃粘膜均Ｈｐ阳性６例患者（４６．２％）的含漱液和１１例患者（８４．６％）的至少一份菌斑样本中检测出Ｈｐ。龈下菌斑中