J Polanowska 1 , A Polanowski
1. Instytut Biochemii i Biologii Molekularnej, Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego.
Published:
GICID: 01.3001.0000.3127
Available language versions: en pl
Issue: Postepy Hig Med Dosw 1997; 51 (2)
Abstract
Periodontitis, an inflammation of periodontal tissues, exists in several clinical forms. The most common one is adult periodontitis with Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobic rod, being generally regarded as the major pathogen involved in this disease. This organism produces a large quantity of proteolytic enzymes, as virulence factors, which are considered to play a crucial role in its pathogenecity. These enzymes are involved in both destruction of periodontal tissues and interrupting host-defence mechanisms through the degradation of immunoglobulins and complement factors leading eventually to disease progression.