Method of testing for periodontal disease

摘要

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