Intra-familial distribution of Fusobacterium nucleatum strains in healthy families with optimal plaque control

• Published in: Journal of clinical periodontology Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 401 - 404
• Main Authors: Suchett-Kaye, G, Décoret, D, Barsotti, O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-06-1999
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Child; Child, Preschool; Dentistry; DNA Fingerprinting - methods; Family Health; Female; Fusobacterium nucleatum - genetics; Fusobacterium nucleatum - isolation & purification; Humans; Infant; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Male; Mouth - microbiology; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; RNA, Bacterial - analysis; RNA, Ribosomal - analysis
• ISSN: 0303-6979
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-051X.1999.260611.x

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic rod associated with periodontal disease, is also found in healthy individuals and is considered part of the indigenous oral microflora. Although intra-familial transmission of periodontal pathogens has been documented, there are no data relating transmission of F. nucleatum. This study investigated the distribution of F. nucleatum strains in 4 strictly healthy families. 32 F. nucleatum strains were isolated from 19 individuals (8 parents and 11 children aged 1-13 years). DNA was extracted and digested with the restriction endonucleases EcoRI, TaqI and HindIII. The digests were separated by electrophoresis through 0.8% agarose gels at 40 V overnight, in TBE buffer containing 1 microg/ml ethidium bromide, and photographed. The DNA was transferred to nylon filters by Southern blotting and hybridized with a digoxigenin labelled E. coli rRNA probe (Kit Dig DNA Labelling mixture - Boehringer). Probed DNA was visualized colorimetrically (CSPD Luminescent Detection Kit Boehringer) and photographed (Amersham). We found that 10/11 children shared identical ribotypes with at least one of their respective parents. Some of the children also harbored a unique additional ribotype. On the basis of indistinguishable restriction endonuclease and ribotype patterns these results support the hypothesis that intra-familial transmission of F. nucleatum is possible.