The present report reviews data implicating Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in the etiology of human periodontal disease. Recent data are also presented relative to: (1) serological studies of this microorganism using monoclonal antibodies and the serodiagnosis of A. actinomycetemcomitans infections; (2) characterization of the serotype antigens; (3) studies of the serotype distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans in extra-oral infections; and (4) examination of the correlation between A. actinomycetemcomitans colony morphology and fimbriae.
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