Comparative Evaluation of Mogibacterium timidum in the Subgingival Plaque of Periodontally Healthy and Chronic Periodontitis Patients: A Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Study

Background: Mogibacterium timidum is a new genus of anaerobic bacteria discovered in the year 2000. It is one of the most common bacteria present in the host microbial flora of dental plaque. The levels of M. timidum are supposedly higher in inflammatory conditions. Aims and objectives: This study aimed to quantify the levels of M. timidum species in the subgingival plaque samples of healthy patients and patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: A total of 24 samples of the subgingival plaque, 12 healthy samples and 12 samples of chronic periodontitis patients, were collected in a buffer solution using a sterile Gracey curette. These samples were then sent to a laboratory for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Results: M. timidum was found in higher quantities in plaque samples taken from chronic periodontitis patients when compared to healthy patients. Conclusion: M. timidum can be said to be associated with chronic periodontitis condition. Further studies are required to know the exact nature of the pathogen.