RT-PCR quantification of periodontal pathogens in crack users and nonusers

Abstract

Objective

Compare counts of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum between crack users and nonusers.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving seventy-seven crack cocaine users and eighty-one nonusers matched for age, gender and tobacco use. Demographic and clinical variables were analysed. Subgingival bacterial samples were collected from four sites with the greatest probing depths and were analysed using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

No significant difference was found in the prevalence of total counts for each bacterial species analyzed between groups. However, crack users had a 1.85 (95% CI: 1.03-3.31), 2.19 (95% CI 1.24-3.88), 2.53 (95% CI 1.27-5.04) and 2.40 (95% CI 1.22-4.75) greater probability of having the higher' rather counts (≥ 75^th percentile) for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum, respectively.

Conclusion

Although some crack users had higher (>75^th percentile) bacterial counts for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum, total counts did not differ between crack users and non users, leading the hypotheses that the higher occurrence of periodontitis on crack users may be related to other non bacterial factors.

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