Objective: To investigate the distribution of Prevotella intermedia (Pi) among family members by culturing technique and biochemical identification.
Methods: Of all 60 families, 181 subjects were included in the study. Supragingival and subgingival plaques were collected and cultured, 279 strains of black-pigmented gram-negative anaerobes were obtained. Biochemical identifications were performed.
Results: Pi could be identified from parents and children with healthy periodontal status. The prevalence of Pi in children was 70.49%, which was significantly higher than that in adults (43.33%).
Conclusion: The result indicates that Pi might be an opportunistic periodontal pathogen that could be colonized in periodontal plaques easily and early. To study the exact role of Pi in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, it is necessary to do longitudinal following study of the subjects.