The Relationship between Periodontal Disease and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans: Suggesting Potential Therapies

Abstract

Three different studies about Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and its association with periodontal diseases were reviewed. Each study was conducted at a certain geographical area, and on a wide range of age groups. The subjects, also, had different medical histories. The studies indicated a strong relationship between A. actinomycetemcomitans and the periodontal disease aggressive periodontitis. The main aims of the three studies were to find an antibacterial that would inhibit the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans, find antibodies against the leukotoxin that is produced by A. actinomycetemcomitans, and finally to discover potential therapies that would prevent oral and non-oral infections caused by A. actinomycetemcomitans. The studies ended with exciting conclusions for the future of periodontal diseases. Systemic antibodies against leukotoxin could make a great contribution in the future to limit systemic effects of periodontal infections. Garlic extract, allicin, and DAS inhibit the growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. DAS has an antibacterial activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans and can be useful in treating oral and non-oral infections caused by A. actinomycetemcomitans.