Media Releases
Real-Time PCR: New decision-making aid in perio therapy
Thanks to Real-Time PCR technology, meridol® Perio
Diagnostics for the first time facilitates specific quantitative
detection of six marker organisms of periodontitis. In addition
to identification of active periodontal pockets this provides an
important decision-making aid for therapy planning and
therapy control.
Münchenstein, December 20, 2004 – Use of microbiological
tests for diagnosis and therapy planning in the event of
periodontal diseases was the focus of a symposium
supported by GABA on the occasion of the conference of the
International Association of Dental Research (IADR) in
Istanbul. Under the chairmanship of Prof. Lior Shapira from
the University of Jerusalem and Prof. Mariano Sanz from the
University of Madrid, internationally renowned experts in
particular discussed the Real-Time PCR technology-related
chances of improved diagnosis, therapy planning and therapy
control regarding frequently intractable periodontal diseases.
Dr Frédéric Cuisinier of the University of Strasbourg gave an
historic overview of the development of microbiological
diagnostics from its beginnings up to probe tests and
conventional PCR (polymerase chain reaction). "In contrast
with these diagnostic methods the bacteria can even be
quantified using the Real-Time PCR procedure," said Sanz,
summarising the advantages of this state-of-the-art method.
The test is also very sensitive.
For the first time in dental diagnostics, meridol® Perio
Diagnostics uses Real-Time PCR technology. This method of
detection is so sensitive that even minute quantities of
periodontal pathogenic causative agents (minimum approx.
100 bacteria) can be detected. Not only the nature and
number of the six periodontal pathogenic organisms but also
the total organism count is determined. This determination
permits an estimate of the total microbiological load in the
gum pocket.
Using this method dentists can identify active periodontal
pockets. This helps them make a decision regarding therapy
planning and selection of suitable antibiotics. Prof. Dr Andrea
Mombelli of the University of Geneva presented a treatment
protocol including today’s evidence regarding the etiology of
periodontal infections and explained the microbiological
factors to be considered in the therapy of periodontal
diseases. "Microbiological diagnosis is indicated in patients
with generalised periodontitis who despite optimum oral
hygiene do not satisfactorily respond to purely mechanical
therapy," said Mombelli. The findings help dentists decide
whether antibiotic therapy is indicated, and if so which
therapy.
Dr Jervøe-Storm of the University of Bonn presented the
results of a clinical microbiological study. The scientists
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meridol® Perio Diagnostics:
Real-Time PCR for quantitative
determination of six marker
organisms of periodontitis and
periimplantitis and of the total
organism count
examined 66 subgingival plaque samples from patients with
chronic periodontitis using standard-culture technology and
Real-Time PCR (meridol® Perio Diagnostics). With the culture
method
the
marker
organism
Actinobacillus
actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) was detected in three of the 66
samples examined, and using Real-Time PCR in 26 of these
samples. "The reason for this difference is the different
detection limits of the two methods. Raising the detection limit
for Real-Time PCR (100 bacteria) to the limit for the standardculture method (1,000 bacteria) creates complete agreement
between the two methods. Real-Time PCR is thus far more
sensitive than the culture method," Jervøe-Storm explained.
The difficulty known in expert circles of differentiating the
marker organisms Prevotella intermedia (Pi) und Prevotella
nigrescens (Pn) using the culture method was also discussed.
The difference in the occurrence of Pi demonstrated in the
study suggests that use of the culture method leads to far
more false positive samples, because of the failure to
differentiate between Pi and Pn. In the samples that were
positive with Real-Time PCR, sequencing of the PCR product
unambiguously proved the organism to be Pi. "This method
facilitates more specific determination of the periodontal
pathogenic microorganisms than the microbiological methods
of examination known hitherto," said Jervøe-Storm. To sum
up, these results regarding comparison of Real-Time PCR
with the culture method, which is deemed to be the standard
method, prove the strengths of the new molecular-biology
procedure with regard to sensitivity and specificity.
meridol® Perio Diagnostics is available in two versions: For
individual analysis or pool sample and for differentiated
analysis of four sites. Individual analysis provides detailed
information on the microbiology of the collection site. For the
pool sample, samples are taken from two to five different
sites and are jointly analysed. It provides an overview of the
general microbiological load. Using differentiated analysis,
samples from four gum pockets can be analysed separately.
Product information:
meridol® Perio Diagnostics
Real-Time PCR for quantitative determination of six marker
organisms of periodontitis and periimplantitis and of the total
organism count
 Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
 Porphyromonas gingivalis
 Tannerella forsythensis
 Treponema denticola
 Fusobacterium nucleatum ssp.
 Prevotella intermedia
Source:
Sources:
Symposium 'Microbiological tests in periodontal diagnosis and
therapy' as part of the conference of the International
Association of Dental Research (IADR) in Istanbul on 27th
August 2004, Sponsor: GABA International AG,
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Münchenstein/Switzerland with lectures by
Cuisinier F: History of microbiological test systems in
periodontal diagnosis and therapy
Sanz M: Real-Time PCR technique in medical and dental
diagnosis
Mombelli A: Microbiological tests in periodontal diagnosis
Jervøe-Storm P-M, Jepsen S: Microbiological effects of
subgingival debridement monitored by Real-Time PCR
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GABA International AG
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Switzerland
Phone: + 41 61 415 60 60
Fax: + 41 61 415 60 00
E-Mail: info@gaba.com
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