Abstract

Previous research has shown that using DNA probes to identify the presence of specific bacteria in human plaque samples is superior to the commonly used anaerobic cultural procedures. Some periodontal pathogens are either uncultivable or very difficult to grow, such as Prevotella intermedia, P. nigrescens, and Eubacterium brachy. Digoxygenin probes were prepared for 15 oral bacteria. These probes were used with a checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization scheme to analyze whether human plaque samples contained any of the 15 bacterial species. Our results have shown that this method is successful in identifying bacterial DNA present in the subgingival patient plaque samples. Probe cross-reactivity tests were also performed and have shown that there was very little cross-reactivity between the 15 bacterial species used. This method can be used for rapid and specific identification (compared to current anaerobic culturing methods) of bacterial species in human plaque samples, thus potentially facilitating treatment for pathogens implicated in periodontal diseases.

LLU Discipline

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics

Department

Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

James D. Kettering

Second Advisor

Hansel M. Fletcher

Third Advisor

Yiming Li

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1999

Date (Title Page)

6-1999

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

DNA Probes; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Periodontal Diseases -- microbiology; Tooth -- microbiology.

Type

Thesis

Page Count

ix; 110

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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