Rapid identification of periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque: comparison of indirect immunofluorescence microscopy with bacterial culture for detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

The sensitivity of indirect immunofluorescence microscopy using specific polyclonal or monoclonal serodiagnostic reagents for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in subgingival dental plaque ranged from 82-100% as compared with culture on selective or non-selective media. This bacterium was found in 100% of the periodontally diseased sites examined in localized juvenile periodontitis patients and was statistically related to clinical indices of periodontal disease including the Gingival Index, Plaque Index, and Pocket Depth. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy is a useful technique for the rapid and reliable determination of A. actinomycetemcomitans in human subgingival dental plaque which may be applied to the clinical diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of periodontitis associated with A. actinomycetemcomitans.