Frequency of 530-bp deletion in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin promoter region

A. Contreras, T. Rusitanonta, C. Chen, W. G. Wagner, B. S. Michalowicz, J. Slots

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Abstract

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strains showing a 530-bp deletion in the promoter region of the leukotoxin gene operon elaborate high amounts of leukotoxin that may play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease. This study used polymerase chain reaction detection to determine the occurrence of the 530-bp deletion in 94 A. actinomycetemcomitans strains from individuals of various ethnic backgrounds. Eleven blacks and one Hispanic subject but no Caucasian or Asian subjects showed the 530-bp deletion in the leukotoxin promoter region, suggesting that the deletion is mainly a characteristic of individuals of African descent. A. actinomycetemcomitans strains exhibiting a deletion in the leukotoxin promoter region occurred both in individuals having severe periodontitis and in adolescents revealing no evidence of destructive periodontal disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)338-340
Number of pages3
JournalOral Microbiology and Immunology
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
  • Leukotoxin operon
  • Periodontal disease
  • Polymerase chain reaction

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