Detection of elevated serum antibodies to Treponema denticola in humans with advanced periodontitis by an enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay

Abstract

The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (EL1SA) was used for the detection of circulating antibodies in human sera to antigens of three serotypes of Treponema denticola . The antigens used in the assay were obtained by a sodium deoxycholate extraction procedure. Sera obtained from totally edentulous patients, patients with advanced periodontitis, as well as dental students who were in good to excellent periodontai health were tested for antibodies to these antigens by ELISA. Significantly elevated antibody levels were detected in 10/11 patients with advanced periodontitis towards the antigens of all 3 serotypes. In contrast, ll/ 13 edentulous patients were negative for antibodies to serotypes W and TT and 9/13 were negative against serotype 11. In the mild gingival inflammation group, 11/14 individuals were negative against serotypes W and 11, and all were found to be negative against serotype TT. Adsorption studies carried out with 4 highly reactive sera indicated that the IgG antibodies detected by ELISA were specific for these antigens of T. denticola. The results of these studies are at variance with those of previous investigators who reported the total absence of detectable antibodies to T. denticola in sera from patients with advanced periodontai disease.