Decreased lactoferrin content in granulocytes from subjects with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans associated periodontal diseases.

Fourteen subjects were examined for lactoferrin content in PMNs of venous blood. Eight of the subjects were diagnosed localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP) and four adult periodontitis (AP), all having subgingival occurrence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (A.a.). Two subjects had healthy gingival conditions and no detectable A.a. Deficiency or low PMN lactoferrin amounts were found in six of the eight subjects with LJP and in two of the subjects with AP. The reduced lactoferrin content in the PMNs was suggested to be depending on a cytotoxic factor produced by A.a. adding to an intrinsic PMN defect.