Abstract: This invention provides a method of testing for periodontal disease in a subject which comprises detecting an elevated concentration of &bgr;-glucuronidase in saliva from the subject relative to the concentration of &bgr;-glucuronidase present in saliva from a healthy subject. The concentration of &bgr;-glucuronidase in the subject's saliva is determined by adding to a sample of the saliva a substrate for &bgr;-glucuronidase and measuring the amount of a product produced by the action of &bgr;-glucuronidase in the substrate. Also, the concentration of &bgr;-glucuronidase in the subject's saliva is determined by adding to a sample of saliva a labeled antibody specific for &bgr;-glucuronidase and measuring the amount of labeled antibody which forms a complex with &bgr;-glucuronidase present in the saliva.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of diagnosing periodontal disease in a subject by detecting elevated concentrations of .beta.-glucuronidase in saliva from the subject. The concentration of .beta.-glucuronidase in the subject's saliva may be determined by adding to a sample of the saliva a substrate for .beta.-glucuronidase and measuring the amount of a product produced by the reaction of .beta.-glucuronidase on the substrate. Also, the concentration of .beta.-glucuronidase in the subject's saliva may be determined by adding to a sample of saliva a labeled antibody specific for .beta.-glucuronidase and measuring the amount of labeled antibody which complexes with .beta.-glucuronidase present in the saliva.

Abstract: The collagenolytic activity of mammalian biologic fluids is assayed by obtaining a specimen of such fluid; applying the fluid to a collagen film bonded to a surface such as that of a glass slide; incubating the slide; washing the slide; staining the slide with a dye, and determining the extent of dissolution of the collagen film from the unstained areas of the slide. The slide is preferably prepared by blending insoluble collagen with a solution of HCl to form a dispersion; applying the dispersion to the slide surface; drying the slide; and baking the slide to cross-link the collagen and bond it to the slide surface. The dispersion applied to the slide contains collagen particles having sizes of at least 1 micron and preferably at least 20 microns. The assay procedure is particularly useful for the determination of the collagenase activity of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), in which case the fluid specimen is obtained on an absorbent medium such as a filter paper strip.