Subgingival plaque biofilm microflora of elderly subjects

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) in subgingival plaque of periodontitis (P) and periodontally healthy (H) subjects in the elderly. Subsequently, fimA genotypes were determined, and compared between P and H sites in the same subjects. The proportion of Pg was higher in P than in H. The fimA genotypes of P were identified mainly as II and Ib, while those of H were as I-IV. In four out of five subjects in whom Pg was detected in H sites, the fimA genotype was identical between P and H sites, but the proportion of Pg was significantly higher in P sites than in H sites (P < 0.05). This study suggests that the increase of Pg and the specific fimA genotypes are associated with P in the elderly, and that Pg possibly transmits within the oral cavity.