The Highly Leukotoxic JP2 Genotype of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Is Present in the Population of the West African Island, Sal in Cape Verde: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is strongly associated with severe periodontitis, possibly due to its production of a potent leukotoxin. A genetic variant, the JP2 genotype, was found to produce more leukotoxin than the wild type because of a mutation in the leukotoxin gene, and this genotype is frequently found in African populations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this JP2 genotype can be found in a randomly selected group of inhabitants of Sal, Cape Verde. Twenty-nine adults between 20 and 59 years of age (58.6% female) participated, and information on their oral health and living standards was collected. An oral examination was performed for each participant, including DMF-T and CPI scores. Plaque and saliva samples were collected and transported to Europe, where DNA was isolated, and the concentration of A. actinomycetemcomitans and its JP2 genotype was determined using dedicated PCR analyses. All 29 plaque and 31% of the saliva samples harboured A. actinomycetemcomitans, and two participants were positive for the JP2 genotype. The presence of this JP2 genotype was not associated with either CPI or DMF-T. This pilot study is the first to describe the presence of the A. actinomycetemcomitans JP2 genotype in a Cape Verdean population living in the Cape Verde Islands, and the findings warrant further research.