Subgingival distribution of Treponema denticola, Treponema socranskii, and pathogen-related oral spirochetes: prevalence and relationship to periodontal status of sampled sites.

Aims of this study were to comprehensively describe the intraoral distribution of the spirochete morphogroup and of 7 antigenically distinct oral treponema, and to relate their presence to periodontal status. Periodontal tissues were evaluated at 4 sites on every tooth except third molars and 76 subjects were classified according to the worst periodontal condition at any one site: Group 1, gingivitis (n = 13); Group 2, early periodontitis (n = 38); and Group 3, advanced periodontitis (n = 25). Subgingival plaque was collected from each half of every tooth evaluated clinically. Spirochetes were identified with phase contrast microscopy and specific treponema were detected immunochemically using monoclonal antibodies to Treponema denticola serovars A-D, T. socranskii subspecies bucalle, T. socranskii subspecies socranskii, and T. pallidum (pathogen-related oral spirochetes, PROS). The counting protocol was conservative and probably underestimated the actual presence of organisms. Spirochetes were found at o...