Objectives:Previously we reported that Porphyromonas gingivalis as well as some other periodontopathic bacteria could be detected frequently in the tongue coat of the periodontally healthy young subjects. In this study, we assessed the frequency of the colonization of P. gingivalis in the tongue coat in aged subjects and the relationship to the periodontal status. Methods:The 165 (93 dentulous and 72 edentulous) volunteers aged 85 years participated in this study. The tongue coat sample was collected by scratching with sterile instruments and suspended in PBS before a clinical oral examination including Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The suspensions were then centrifuged and the bacterial cells were pelleted. DNAs were prepared from the precipitates, and the16S rRNA-based PCR assay using P. gingivalis-specific primers was performed. Results:P. gingivalis was more frequently detected in the tongue coat samples from the dentulous subjects (78.5%) than the edentulous subjects (15.3%, p < 0.001). In the dentulous subjects, a significant correlation was observed between the colonization of P. gingivalis and the maximum CPI code of all present teeth (correlation coefficient; 0.288, p = 0.010). However, there was no significant correlation between the number of teeth and the colonization of P. gingivalis. Conclusions:P. gingivalis was detected in the tongue coat of not only dentulous but also edentulous aged subjects, although the frequency of the colonization in edentulous subjects was significantly lower than that in dentulous subjects. In dentulous aged subjects, the colonization was correlated to the CPI but not the number of teeth to the periodontal status. In conclusion, it was suggested that tongue coat could be a possible habitat of P. gingivalis in aged subjects, and that the colonization of P. gingivalis in tongue coat could be related to the periodontal status of the teeth in the dentulous group.

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