Introduction

Periodontal diseases are one of the most common infectious diseases in dogs (affecting approximately 80% of population). Anaerobic bacteria were isolated from the periodontal pockets of dogs, in particular Porphyromonas spp. Porphyromonas gulae and P. gingivalis are associated with periodontitis. Both P. gulae and P. gingivalis produce fimbrillin, which is known to be one of the major factors of Porphyromonas spp. for periodontitis. The fimbria variations have an influence on the development of periodontal diseases. P. gulae genotype B and P. gingivalis genotype II are considered the most invasive. The identification and genotyping of canine periodontal pathogens allows for a more directed approach to companion animal periodontitis prevention and treatment.

Objectives

Thirty-six (36) oral swab probes of dogs were analysed to determine which Porphyromonas spp. and which fimA genotypes are predominant in the dental plaque of Lithuanian dogs.

Methods

Variations of Porphyromonas spp. fimA in the dental plaque of the dogs were identified using PCR amplification and DNR sequencing and HRM-based genotyping method.

Conclusions

Analysis of 36 specimens from the dental plaque of dogs revealed that 73,33%, 20% and 6,67% of them contained Porphyromonas gulae, Porphyromonas gingivalis and both species. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acids of fimA protein revealed that 46,67%, 26,67%, 20% and 6,67% of them contained P. gulae fimA A, P. gulae fimA B. P. gingivalis fimA II and mixed genotypes. The new HRM-based genotyping method was applied and it was suitable for the Pophyromonas spp. fimA genotyping of the dental plaque of dogs.