A Johansson1, R Claesson2, C Höglund Åberg1, D Haubek3, J Oscarsson2. 1. Division of Molecular Periodontology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 2. Division of Oral Microbiology, Department of Odontology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 3. Section for Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Dentistry and Oral Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is involved in oral and systemic infections, and is associated with, eg aggressive forms of periodontitis and with endocarditis. The cagE gene encodes a ≈39 kDa putative exotoxin expressed by A. actinomycetemcomitans. The level of conservation of cagE, and its possible significance in periodontal disease, has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, the role of the cagE gene as a diagnostic marker has been investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have used conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR and whole genome sequencing data to determine the prevalence of cagE in A. actinomycetemcomitans based on analysis of: (i) 249 isolates, collected and cultivated in a Ghanaian longitudinal cohort study; (ii) a serotype b collection of 19 strains; and (iii) the 36 A. actinomycetemcomitans genomes available in the NCBI database. RESULTS: Whereas cagE was absent in the other serotypes, our data support that this gene sequence is linked to a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSION: We propose that cagE has the potential to be used as a PCR-based gene marker for the identification of a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes. This finding might be of importance in the risk assessment of the development of periodontal attachment loss in young individuals and hence suggested to be a relevant discovery in future development of new diagnostic tools and/or treatment strategies.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is involved in oral and systemic infections, and is associated with, eg aggressive forms of periodontitis and with endocarditis. The cagE gene encodes a ≈39 kDa putative exotoxin expressed by A. actinomycetemcomitans. The level of conservation of cagE, and its possible significance in periodontal disease, has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, the role of the cagE gene as a diagnostic marker has been investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have used conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR and whole genome sequencing data to determine the prevalence of cagE in A. actinomycetemcomitans based on analysis of: (i) 249 isolates, collected and cultivated in a Ghanaian longitudinal cohort study; (ii) a serotype b collection of 19 strains; and (iii) the 36 A. actinomycetemcomitans genomes available in the NCBI database. RESULTS: Whereas cagE was absent in the other serotypes, our data support that this gene sequence is linked to a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSION: We propose that cagE has the potential to be used as a PCR-based gene marker for the identification of a virulent and highly leukotoxic group of serotype b strains, including both JP2 and non-JP2 genotypes. This finding might be of importance in the risk assessment of the development of periodontal attachment loss in young individuals and hence suggested to be a relevant discovery in future development of new diagnostic tools and/or treatment strategies.
Authors: Oum Keltoum Ennibi; Rolf Claesson; Sanae Akkaoui; Sarah Reddahi; Francis Kwamin; Dorte Haubek; Anders Johansson Journal: Clin Exp Dent Res Date: 2019-01-24
Authors: Anders Johansson; Rolf Claesson; Carola Höglund Åberg; Dorte Haubek; Mark Lindholm; Sarah Jasim; Jan Oscarsson Journal: Pathogens Date: 2019-09-17
Authors: Georgios N Belibasakis; Terhi Maula; Kai Bao; Mark Lindholm; Nagihan Bostanci; Jan Oscarsson; Riikka Ihalin; Anders Johansson Journal: Pathogens Date: 2019-11-06
Authors: Yanyan Fu; Sandra Maaβ; Marines du Teil Espina; Anouk H G Wolters; Yanan Gong; Anne de Jong; Erwin Raangs; Girbe Buist; Johanna Westra; Dörte Becher; Jan Maarten van Dijl Journal: mSystems Date: 2022-06-13 Impact factor: 7.324