Comparison of Aerobic Bacteria in Saliva Samples of Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis Patients-An in Vitro Study

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the aerobic bacteria in saliva samples of chronic and aggressive periodontitis patients. Background: Generalised chronic and aggressive periodontitis are recognised as two distinct diseases that result from inflammatory response to bacterial infection. Chronic periodontitis is characterised by moderate periodontal attachment loss which occurs over an extended period of time whereas rapid periodontal loss occurs in aggressive periodontitis. Saliva samples were collected from 10 patients with chronic periodontitis and 5 patients with aggressive periodontitis. The samples were cultured using aerobic culture technique and the microbial profiles will be compared. Result: In this study, it was found that the distribution of Gram positive (87%) and Gram negative bacteria (13%) was similar in both the study groups. On comparing the percentage distribution of the respective bacterial species isolated, it was reported that Streptococcus mutans was the most abundant species in both cases. The prevalence of Pseudomonas and S. aureus was also found to be almost the same. However, the occurrence of Enterococcus (60% in GAgP and 30% in GCP) and Candida spp. (80% in GAgP and 50% in GCP) was found to be more in aggressive periodontitis patients. Bacterial species like Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguis, Lactobacillus, Bacillus spp. and E. coli were found in varying percentages only in patients suffering from GCP. Reason: This study will help provide a better understanding about the cause of periodontal diseases and help in providing better treatment.