Some local and systemic immunological features of prepubertal periodontitis

Objectives: The aim of the present investigation was to study local (gingival) and systemic host defense characteristics in a sample of children exhibiting local prepubertal periodontitis (LPP). Material and methods: 2 groups of subjects were included in the present study. One group consisted of 11 children (9.5+/-2.0 years) with signs of periodontal disease (LPP group). A 2nd group comprised 21 adults (48.1+/-5.8 years) with advanced periodontal disease: adult periodontitis (AP) group. Gingival biopsies and a sample of peripheral blood were obtained in each individual of the AP group and in 7 out of the 11 subjects in the LPP group. The biopsies were prepared for morphometrical and immunohistochemical analysis and the blood samples prepared for immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The cellular infiltrates in the biopsies of the LPP group contained a larger proportion of lymphocytes and, in particular B cells, than was the case in the AP group. The TCR V alpha /V beta gene expression in the lesions in the AP group was dominated by VP 17 and in the LPP group by Vol 2. The content in peripheral blood of various lymphocyte sub-populations and TCR V alpha /V beta gene expression in the 2 groups was almost similar. Conclusion: It is suggested that (i) the systemic host response in children with prepubertal periodontitis has many features in common with that seen in adult patients but that (ii) local defense mechanisms in the periodontitis lesion of LPP differ from those in adult periodontitis.