A Semi-Automated Method for Measuring Biofilm Accumulation on the Teeth Using Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence in Dogs and Cats

Abstract

Oral health conditions (eg, plaque, calculus, gingivitis) cause morbidity and pain in companion animals. Thus, developing technologies that can ameliorate the accumulation of oral biofilm, a critical factor in the progression of these conditions, is vital. Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) is a method to quantify oral substrate accumulation, and therefore, it can assess biofilm attenuation of different products. New software has recently been developed that automates aspects of the procedure. However, few QLF studies in companion animals have been performed. QLF was used to collect digital images of oral substrate accumulation on the teeth of dogs and cats to demonstrate the ability of QLF to discriminate between foods known to differentially inhibit oral substrate accumulation. Images were taken as a function of time and diet. Software developed by the Cytometry Laboratory, Purdue University quantified biofilm coverage. Intra- and intergrader reproducibility was also assessed, as was a comparison of the results of the QLF software with those of an experienced grader using undisclosed coverage-only metrics similar to those used for the Logan and Boyce index. Quantification of oral substrate accumulation using QLF-derived images demonstrated the ability to distinguish between dental diets known to differentially inhibit oral biofilm accumulation. Little variance in intra- and intergrader reproducibility was observed, and the comparison between the experienced Logan and Boyce grader and the QLF software yielded a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.89 (95% CI = 0.84, 0.92). These results show that QLF is a useful tool that allows the semi-automated quantification of the accumulation of oral biofilm in companion animals.