Actinobacillus Actinomycetemcomitans in Juvenile Periodontitis

Juvenile periodontitis is a relatively rare form of periodontal disease associated with extensive alveolar bone destruction about one or more teeth in young individuals (10-19 years). Although the mechanism(s) responsible for tissue injury is not known, it has been suggested that infection byspecific organisms, at least during some stage(s), may be a major factor contributing to the pathogenesis of juvenile periodontitis. Actinobacillus actinomy-cetemcmitans has been isolated in relatively high concentration from the inflammed gingival pockets of juvenile periodontitis patients and is now believed to be associated with the pathogenesis of this disease. Although it is not clear how A. actinomycetemcomitans contributes to the development of juvenile periodontitis. it is known that this organism produces several biologically active mediators. This review examined evidence for essentiality of A. actinomycetemcomitans in juvenile periodontitis.