JP2 Genotype of <i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i> in Caucasian Patients: A Presentation of Two Cases

<i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i> is a key pathogen that has been associated with periodontal disease. Its most important virulence factor is a leukotoxin capable of inactivating immune cells. The JP2 genotype of <i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans </i>shows e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alexandra Stähli, Anton Sculean, Sigrun Eick
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/3/178
Description
Summary:<i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans</i> is a key pathogen that has been associated with periodontal disease. Its most important virulence factor is a leukotoxin capable of inactivating immune cells. The JP2 genotype of <i>Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans </i>shows enhanced leukotoxic activity<i> </i>and<i> </i>is mostly present in individuals of North and West African origin with severe periodontitis. In this paper, two cases of Caucasians diagnosed with the JP2 genotype are presented. A 50-year-old female patient had three approximal sites with &#8805; 6 mm clinical attachment loss (CAL) and eight sites with probing depth (PD) &#8805; 5 mm. Microbiological diagnostics revealed <i>A. actinomycetemcomitans </i>JP2 genotype, but not <i>Porphyromonas gingivalis</i>. This JP2 genotype was highly leukotoxic to monocytic cells. The second case was a 55-year-old female patient with CAL of &gt; 5 mm at all molars and PD of up to 12 mm. <i>A. actinomycetemcomitans </i>JP2 was identified, but not <i>P. gingivalis</i>. Her husband originated from North-Africa. In him, no <i>A. actinomycetemcomitans</i> was detected, but their 17-year-old daughter was diagnosed with periodontitis and was found to be positive for the JP2 genotype. Both patients were successfully treated with adjunctive antibiotics and the JP2 genotype was eliminated. In summary, here, the microbiological diagnosis was key for the treatment with adjunctive antibiotics.
ISSN:2076-0817