Frequency of 530‐bp deletion in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin promoter region

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Abstract
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains showing a 530‐bp deletion in the promoter region of the leukotoxin gene operon elaborate high amounts of leukotoxin that may play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. This study used polymerase chain reaction detection to determine the occurrence of the 530‐bp deletion in 94 A. actinomycetemcomitans strains from individuals of various ethnic backgrounds. Eleven blacks and one Hispanic subject but no Caucasian or Asian subjects showed the 530‐bp deletion in the leukotoxin promoter region, suggesting that the deletion is mainly a characteristic of individuals of African descent. A. actinomycetemcomitans strains exhibiting a deletion in the leukotoxin promotor region occurred both in individuals having severe periodontitis and in adolescents revealing no evidence of destructive periodontal disease.

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