Association of red complex bacteria with periodontal disease: A clinico microbiological study

Abstract

Context: Oral cavity offers diverse habitats to various species of different microorganisms; some of them, under certain conditions cause loss of connective tissue and bone, ultimately leading to periodontitis. Once such complex of bacteria often referred to as red complex bacteria consisting of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia have been regarded as those associated with periodontitis. With increasing advances in the field of medicine N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamide (BANA) test, a modern chair-side paraclinical method has been designed to detect the presence of one or more such bacteria. Aim: The aim of the study was to detect the presence of these bacteria in patients suffering from various forms of periodontitis using BANA test kit. Settings and Design: A total of 1500 patients suffering from various forms of periodontitis were selected for the study. Subjects and Methods: These were divided into three groups: Group I: Mild periodontitis, Group II: Moderate periodontitis, and Group III: Severe periodontitis. Microbial parameters were recorded using BANA test. Statistical analysis used Mann–Whitney test and Pearson's Chi-square test. Results: Group III had significantly greater percentage of BANA-positive sites followed by Group II and Group I. Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between the presence of red complex bacteria and severity of periodontitis.

Keywords

• dental plaque
• n-benzoyl-dl-arginine-2 naphthylamide
• oral microbiota
• periodontal disease
• red complex bacteria