Investigation of the PMN chemotaxis in periodontal disease.

Abstract

The chemotactic responses of peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes in 36 patients with rapidly progressive periodontitis (RPP) were compared to responses in 15 patients with localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) and 10 patients with adult periodontitis (AP). In the RPP group, 13 (36%) patients exhibited reduced chemotactic activity and 7 (19%) exhibited activity. Compared to this, 12 (80%) of the LJP patients displayed reduced chemotactic activity. Among the AP-patients 4 (40%) showed altered chemotactic activity including 1 (10%) with reduced chemotactic activity and 3 (30%) with increased activity. These results suggest that depressed chemotaxis is greatest in LJP, intermediate in RPP and least in AP.