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Tong KSK, Zee K-Y et al. J Periodontol 2003; 74: 1582–1588

A. actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is a periodontal organism which has aroused much interest in relation to periodontitis, but without any clear demonstration of its role in vivo. Some authorities have suggested that failure to eradicate this organism will lead to failure of periodontal treatment. In this study, 21 patients aged 30-55 yrs were treated for moderate periodontitis, with 2 dropouts. In each patient 4 sites were examined for Aa, and one sampled tooth which was Aa negative was extracted for unrelated reasons.

At baseline, Aa was found in 13 subjects at 29 sites. Three months after non-surgical treatment, Aa was not found in 5 previously +ve subjects, but were found in one who was previously −ve. By 12 months, Aa was not found in 3 previously +ve, but found in 1 initially −ve patient. Comparison of Aa +ve and −ve patients showed similar improvements in periodontal health: baseline PD reduced from a mean 7.5 mm by about 3 mm at 3 months and a further 1 mm at 12 months; PAL improved respectively 1 mm, and then a further 0.5-1.0 mm. There were no significant differences between groups.