[Incidence and quantification of mycoplasma in saliva in patients with periodontal disease and subjects with healthy gingiva].

The ecological niche of oral mycoplasmas are both gingival pockets in patients suffering periodontitis (PP) and gingival sulci in individuals with healthy gingiva (HG). The mycoplasmas migrate from these anatomical sites to the saliva and to entire oral cavity. The purpose of this report was to examine whether differences exist in the incidence and concentration of mycoplasma as determined in the saliva of thirty (30) PP and fifty (50) individuals with HG. Saliva samples were obtained from both groups, with capillary tubes and cotton swabs, and used for mycoplasma isolation and quantification. The methods employed were those recommended by the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC Atlanta, Georgia). The results showed an 80% mycoplasma incidence in group PP and 50% HG, with the following concentrations: 5.0 x 10(3) to 8.0 x 10(6) Colony Forming Units/ml (CFU/ml) in PP, and 3.0 x 10(3) to 4.5 x 10(4) UFC/ml in the HG (P less than 0.001). We conclude the both mycoplasma incidence and concentration were higher in PP than in HG individuals.