Estimation of Transmission of Porphyromonas Gingivalis from Mother to Child through Saliva.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease. Porphyromonas gingivalis is the major pathogen associated with it and can be found in all ecosystems in the oral cavity. The presence of this organism is highly correlated with preterm and low birth weight babies. So, this study aimed to assess vertical transmission of P.gingivalis from pregnant women to their new born. METHODS: Forty six pregnant women with chronic periodontitis were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected from them before delivery and from their new-borns within forty eight hours of birth. Quantification of P.gingivalis in the saliva samples was carried out by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction. The obtained data were analysed by SPSS 16 program. RESULTS: The results showed a significant correlation (P=0.002) between the number of P.gingivalis present in the mother's saliva with that of the new-borns' saliva. DNA copies of more than 5000/µl of P.gingivalis was found in 20 (43.5%) maternal saliva and 21 (45.7%) in new-borns' saliva. Both Plaque index and Extent and Severity index showed no correlation (P>0.05) with DNA copies of P.gingivalis in new-borns' saliva. CONCLUSIONS: The DNA copies of P.gingivalis found in new-borns' saliva are in par with mother saliva, as the saliva sample obtained from new-borns' were within forty eight hours of birth, no other environmental factor can have a direct role in its transmission. Thus, it can be concluded that P.gingivalis is vertically transmitted from mother to child.

Management of hereditary gingival fibromatosis: A 2 years follow-up case report.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is a rare hereditary condition characterized by slow, progressive, nonhemorrhagic, fibrous enlargement of gingiva due to increase in sub-mucosal connective tissue component. This paper presents a case report of an 18-year-old female suffering from HGF with positive family history. Her 42-year-old mother also have enlargement of the gums. After through clinical examination of both the patients, routine blood investigation was advised. All the investigations were within normal physiological limits of both the patients. Surgical excision of enlarged gingival tissue was planned after meticulous scaling and root planing. Patients were recalled 1 week after surgery. Postoperative healing were good and desired crown lengthening was achieved with significant improvement in speech and masticatory problems in both the patients. There was no recurrence of the disease even after 2 years follow-up.

Periosteum as a barrier membrane in the treatment of intrabony defect: A new technique.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of periosteum as a barrier membrane for the treatment of intrabony defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in patients having bilateral intrabony defects. A total of 20 intrabony defects in 10 patients were treated, out of which 10 defects received periosteal barrier and the other 10 defects received conventional open flap debridement procedure. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed using clinical parameters and dentascan. RESULTS: Statistically significant gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) was found in the test group (2.00 ± 0.26 mm) as compared to the control group (0.60 ± 0.22 mm). In both the treatment modalities (test and control groups), a significant decrease in probing pocket depth of 3.90 ± 0.35 mm and 2.90 ± 0.31 mm was observed, respectively. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Bone defect fill was 1.40 ± 0.16 mm for the test group and 0.90 ± 0.18 mm for the control group, but the difference observed was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that periosteal barrier membrane can be a better alternative of barrier membranes for the treatment of intrabony defects.

Cyclooxygenase 2 gene polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis in a North Indian population: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme catalyzes the production of prostaglandins, which are important mediators of tissue destruction in periodontitis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of COX2 enzyme have been associated with increasing susceptibility to inflammatory diseases. The present study evaluates the association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms in COX2 gene (-1195G>A and 8473C>T) with chronic periodontitis in North Indians. METHODS: Both SNPs and their haplotypes were used to explore the associations between COX2 polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis in 56 patients and 60 controls. Genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed for association analysis. RESULTS: By the individual genotype analysis, mutant genotypes (GA and AA) of COX2 -1195 showed more than a two fold risk (odds ratio [OR]>2) and COX2 8473 (TC and CC) showed a reduced risk for the disease, but the findings were not statistically significant. Haplotype analysis showed that the frequency of the haplotype AT was higher in the case group and a significant association was found for haplotype AT (OR, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.03 to 3.11; P=0.0370) indicating an association between the AT haplotype of COX2 gene SNPs and chronic periodontitis. CONCLUSIONS: Individual genotypes of both the SNPs were not associated while haplotype AT was found to be associated with chronic periodontitis in North Indians.