Aggressive Periodontitis — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: B — Rapidly progressing periodontitis with a molar/incisor pattern
The correct answer is B. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, particularly its highly leukotoxic JP2 clone, is classically associated with early-onset, rapidly progressing periodontitis showing a molar/incisor distribution—the phenotype historically termed localised aggressive periodontitis. It is an opportunistic member of a dysbiotic microbial community rather than a pathogen that is unique to, or independently diagnostic of, this disease. Slowly progressing generalised periodontitis is associated with a broader polymicrobial dysbiosis and does not show the same specific classical association. Necrotising periodontal disease presents with painful papillary necrosis and has a different microbial and host-risk profile. Pericoronitis is an operculum-associated polymicrobial infection, while desquamative gingivitis is usually a manifestation of immune-mediated mucocutaneous disease rather than a bacterial periodontal phenotype.
Reference: Mehta J, Eaton C, AlAmri M, Lin GH, Nibali L. The association between Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans JP2 clone and periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Periodontal Research. 2023;58(3):465–482. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36987541/