Objectives: Bacteroides forsythus is considered to be one of the important periodontopathic bacteria. The S-layer-like antigens were recently isolated from this organism. They are known to be immunogenic against rabbits, but the humoral immune responses in patients with periodontitis are still unknown. We examined the antibody responses by these patients against the S-layer-like antigens of B.forsythus. Methods: Sera were isolated from patients with periodontitis and healthy donors. We obtained informed consents from all pateints as required by Helsinki Declaration. Sonicated extract or purified S-layer-like antigens of B. forsythus were used in this study. These antigens were subjected to Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from patients and healthy donors were used as primary antigens. Results: Sera from patients with periodontitis recognized S-layer-like antigens in Western blotting, but those from healthy donors did not. Sera from the patients had higher IgG titers against these antigens compred to sera from healthy donors. Conclusions: These results suggest that S-layer-like antigens of B. forsythus have strong antigenecity in patients with periodontitis and they may have some potential as pathogenic factors. This work was in part supported by Grants-in Aid for Scientific Research 13672189 from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan.

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