Periodontitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Periodontitis, including details on treatment, causes, gingivitis, symptoms.

Bacterial internalization in periodontitis.

Vitkov L, Krautgartner WD, Hannig M

Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Saarland University, Germany. lvitkov@yahoo.com

BACKGROUND: Bacterial invasion of host epithelial cells plays an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis; however, the exact mechanism of the invasion has not been investigated. METHODS: Pocket epithelium biopsies in periodontitis were analysed via scanning and transmission electron microscopy using ultra-histochemical staining with ruthenium red for glycocalyx visualization. RESULTS: We demonstrated that oral bacteria adhered via fimbriae-mediated adhesion only. The bacterial internalization in periodontitis was marked by the hallmark of the fimbriae-induced zipper mechanism--the phagocytic cup formation--but we found no sign of the trigger mechanism of internalization. In addition, we frequently observed apoptosis in the phagocytizing epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Fimbriae-mediated adhesion is a prerequisite for bacterial invasion in periodontitis. This occurs by the fimbriae-induced zipper mechanism of internalization. As internalization induces apoptosis, the subsequent exfoliation might play a significant role in the clearance of periodontal pathogens.

Published 16 August 2005 in Oral Microbiol Immunol, 20(5): 317-21.
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