Neutrophil Exodus From The Gingival Crevice - A Novel Method of Quantification Using Durapore Filter Strips: A Cross Sectional Study
Sudhindra Kulkarni, Sachin Kanagotagi
Citation Information :
Kulkarni S, Kanagotagi S. Neutrophil Exodus From The Gingival Crevice - A Novel Method of Quantification Using Durapore Filter Strips: A Cross Sectional Study. J Contemp Dent 2011; 1 (1):7-10.
Neutrophils play a critical role as a part of the innate immune response. Although neutrophils are primarily protective, they release products partly responsible for the destruction seen in periodontal disease. The techniques presently available for counting neutrophils require special equipment and are only semi-quantitative. The aim of the present investigation was to check the efficacy of a single, rapid, non-invasive assay to enable the expedient quantification of oral neutrophils, and utilize the assay to quantify the number of neutrophils in periodontal disease.
Materials and Methods
Forty five subjects were recruited in the study. They were put into three groups based on the Gingival Index and Russell's Periodontal Index as clinically healthy (Group 1), gingivitis (Group 2) and periodontitis (Group 3). GCF samples were collected using a durapore filter and the number of neutrophils counted using an improved Neubaeur's Chamber.
Results
Neutrophils were present in GCF of all the samples. There was statistically significant difference between the neutrophil numbers in all the samples with respect to severity of periodontal disease. The strength of association was the strongest between probing pocket depth and neutrophil counts.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that it is possible to collect and quantify oral neutrophils by a single, rapid, noninvasive assay using durapore strips.