ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Microbiology Volume 16 Number 1 DOI: 10.5580/IJMB.54104 1 of 9 Bacterial Etiology And Risk Factors Of Periodontal Diseases In Enugu Metropolis, South East Nigeria U C Maduakor, N F Onyemelukwe, S N Maduakor, N C Azubuike, A O Onyemelukwe, E B Nnedu Citation U C Maduakor, N F Onyemelukwe, S N Maduakor, N C Azubuike, A O Onyemelukwe, E B Nnedu. Bacterial Etiology And Risk Factors Of Periodontal Diseases In Enugu Metropolis, South East Nigeria. The Internet Journal of Microbiology. 2019 Volume 16 Number 1. DOI: 10.5580/IJMB.54104 Abstract Background: Periodontal disease is plaque induced inflammation of surrounding tooth structures. It is a major factor in adult tooth loss. There is paucity of information on microbial etiology of periodontal diseases in Enugu. Aim: The study focused on the isolation and identification of bacteria in periodontal diseases and associated risk factors among patients in Enugu. Materials and methods: This was a case controlled study that was conducted from August 2017 to September 2018. A total of 433 samples were randomly collected comprising of 140 patients with periodontitis, 173 with gingivitis and 125 healthy subjects. Sterile paper points were used for the sample collection. Standard culture and biochemical techniques were used for the isolation and identification. Structured questionnaires were used to record demographic variables and other risk factors. Analysis was done with Graph pad prism Version 6. Categorical variables were reported using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 1,044 microorganisms were isolated. Gingivitis accounted for 430 isolates, periodontitis 352, and healthy subjects 262 isolates. Anaerobic microorganisms predominated in gingivitis with Actinomyces spp preponderant and Capnocytophaga spp. trailing. Periodontitis had predominant Fusobacterium nucleatum followed by Aggregatibacter actinomycetecomitans then Actinomyces odontolyticus. Aerobes dominated in healthy subjects. Females presented more significantly in gingivitis. Conclusion: This study is novel in Enugu. Mixed bacteria growth was evident in the study. Age, level of education, family history, and bleeding gums were significant risk factors. Knowledge of the microbial etiology of periodontal diseases and the risk factors is the key for a successful periodontal therapy. INTRODUCTION There is a high prevalence of periodontal diseases globally and identifying the etiology is the fundamental key to its control. Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection characterized by continuous inflammation, breakdown of connective tissue and destruction of alveolar bone [1]. Periodontal disease is broadly grouped into gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva caused by the accumulation of dental plaque and it is reversible. It may be common in children as young as 5 years [2]. It is a consequence of inadequate oral hygiene practices (such as tooth brushing and use of interdental cleaning aids [3]. Periodontitis is the chronic inflammatory disease started by built up of dental plaque biofilm and sustained by a deregulated immune response and usually preceded by gingivitis resulting in irreversible destruction of the supporting tissues surrounding the tooth including the alveolar bone [4,2,1]. Periodontal diseases are polymicrobial, multifactorial, diseases with many host factors involved in determining the individual susceptibility to disease [5]. It has been reported severally that the initiation and progression of the disease is akin not only to the presence of bacterial strains pathogenic for the periodontium but also due to the absence or minimal proportions of the beneficial commensals in the susceptible