Detection of P. gingivalis, T. denticola, T. forsythia genomic DNA in ApoE^null mouse tissue.

Post-euthanasia the thoracic aorta, abdominal aorta, heart, liver and spleen were harvested in liquid nitrogen. In order to assess systemic infection with P. gingivalis, T. denticola and/or T. forsythia, total DNA from each perspective organ was isolated and examined for bacterial genomic DNA by PCR using species specific primers. The numbers indicated with forward slash correspond to the number of mice positive for Pg/Td/Tf respectively.