Generalized Juvenile Periodontitis, Defective Neutrophil Chemotaxis and Bacteroides gingivalis in a 13‐Year‐Old Female

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Abstract
Host immune response and the predominant subgingival microflora were evaluated in a 13 yr old female exhibiting a severe form of generalized juvenile periodontitis. The patient''s neutrophils were chemotacticaly depressed but exhibited a normal oxidative capacity. Serum IgG antibody to B. gingivalis and to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype c were elevated. B. gingivalis constituted 8-16% of the cultivable microflora and 13-20% of the total cell count in subgingival plaque samples obtained from 5 out of 5 peridontally diseased sites examined. It was not detectable in a healthy site. A. actinomycetemcomitans was recovered in small numbers from all subgingival plaque samples taken. This study provides additional evidence for an etiologic association between B. gingivalis and generalized juvenile peridontitis.