Abstract

Humoral immune response is an important host mechanism against periodontopathogenic microorganisms, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. P. gingivalis is the most frequent causative agent of chronic periodontitis in Mexico, but its detection presents difficulties. The aim of this study was to identify antibodies against semi-purified culture-secreted proteins of P. gingivalis in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis. Semi-purified culture-secreted proteins of P. gingivalis were immobilized in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) plaque to detect IgA, IgG and IgM antibodies in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid from chronic periodontitis patients. IgG antibody against proteins from P. gingivalis was detected in 65% of the samples of patients, 27% of patients had IgA antibodies, while IgM was detected in 45% of patients. IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies were detected in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid mainly in patients with severe chronic periodontitis, confirming that P. gingivalis could be the causative agent of the infection.

Key words: Antibodies, gingival crevicular fluid, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and saliva.