Abstract: Methods of identifying an individual as being a slow gingivitis responder or a high gingivitis responder are disclosed. The methods are based on the temporal difference in the shift of the ratio of Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes in subgingival plaque samples taken from healthy tissue that is distant from the site of plaque induced inflammation. Methods of treating gingivitis and methods of preventing, reducing the severity of or delaying onset of gingivitis in an individual who is a slow gingivitis responder or a high gingivitis responder are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of identifying an individual as being a slow gingivitis responder or a high gingivitis responder are disclosed. Some methods are based on IL-1? levels in the individual's GCF at the site of inflammation. Some methods are based on MIF and/or CCL-1 levels in the individual's GCF in healthy tissue distant from the site of inflammation. Some disclosed methods are based on temporal differences in IL-8, IL-6 and/or TNF? levels in the individual's GCF in healthy tissue distant from the site of inflammation during the development of plaque induced inflammation. Methods of treating an individual who has gingivitis and methods of preventing gingivitis are also provided. The treatment and prevention methods comprise determining if individual is a slow gingivitis responder or a high gingivitis responder and applying oral care compositions to the individual's oral cavity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an expression vector for expressing P. gingivalis lipid A deacylase a novel screen to identify P. gingivalis deacylase inhibitors. P. gingivalis deacylase inhibitors will be identified by determining the TLR4 activity of B. thetaiotaomicron strain Bt pSJ836 that expresses the P. gingivalis deacylase gene. This strain demonstrates significantly less potent TLR4 activity when compared to its isogenic strain Bt pSJ46 that does not contain the P. gingivalis deacylase but rather contains the control plasmid vector only. Consequently, the potent TLR4 activity normally found with B. thetaiotaomicron is significantly reduced only when the P. gingivalis deacylase is present. Therefore, compounds that inhibit the P. gingivalis deacylase activity can be identified in B. thetaiotaomicron strain Bt pSJ836 by an increase in TLR4 activity. Compounds that increase TLR4 activity nonspecifically in B. thetaiotaomicron strain Bt pSJ836 will be identified by comparing the TLR4 activity to B.

Abstract: A preparation containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Porphyromonas gingivalis having a molecular negative mass ion of 1435 or 1449 is used as an immune system modulator to redirect a host's immune system against an antigen of interest. The 1435/1449 LPS preparation can be isolated from P. gingivalis or prepared as a derivative or mimetic thereof. The immunomodulating preparations of P. gingivalis 1435/1449 can be used as a vaccine adjuvant, and can be used to stimulate an immune response against a selected antigen associated with a disease of interest, such an antigen associated with a tumor, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, MHC antigen, or to modulate asthma or other inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: The lipopolysaccharide of bacteria associated with chronic inflammatory diseases is unable to induce expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules, or selectins, on endothelial cells, and is also capable of inhibiting the induction of selectin expression by bacteria normally associated with acute endotoxin disease. New approaches to treatment of these diseases, and the diagnosis of susceptibility to chronic bacterial-associated inflammatory diseases, are provided.

Abstract: Methods and reagents are provided for a novel immunodiagnostic test for the presence of P. aeruginosa in a biological sample. Monoclonal antibodies are employed which bind to an outer membrane protein antigen, which may be exposed by a solubilizing reagent. The antibody binds substantially all strains of P. aeruginosa. No cross-reactivity with other species of Pseudomonas or with other clinically significant gram-negative or gram-positive species is observed. Conjugating the monoclonal antibody of the invention with a fluorescent label provides for a rapid and sensitive direct immunofluorescent test for P. aeruginosa.

Abstract: The lipopolysaccharide of bacteria associated with chronic inflammatory diseases is unable to induce expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules, or selectins, on endothelial cells, and is also capable of inhibiting the induction of selectin expression by bacteria normally associated with acute endotoxin disease. New approaches to treatment of these diseases, and the diagnosis of susceptibility to chronic bacterial-associated inflammatory diseases, are provided.