Test kit and method for the detection of microorganisms associated with periodontal diseases using surfactant mixture as extraction composition

A method for the extraction of an antigen from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia comprising:

• contacting a specimen suspected of containing Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia with an aqueous composition buffered to a pH of from about 8 to about 11 comprising:
• a. from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of a water-soluble cationic surfactant which is a quaternary ammonium salt or a mixture thereof, and
• b. from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of an anionic surfactant which has a sulfate anion having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms and an alkali metal or ammonium cation,
• said contacting being carried out under time and temperature conditions effective to extract an antigen from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia.

A method for the determination of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia comprising:

• A. contacting a specimen suspected of containing Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia with an aqueous extraction composition buffered to a pH of from about 8 to about 11 comprising:
• a. from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of a water-soluble cationic surfactant which is a quaternary ammonium salt or a mixture thereof, and
• b. from about 1 to about 10 weight percent of an anionic surfactant which has a sulfate anion having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms and an alkali metal or ammonium cation,
• said contacting being carried out under time and temperature conditions effective to extract an antigen from said Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia.
• B. after extraction forming a detectable immunological complex of the extracted antigen and an antibody specific to the antigen, and
• C. detecting said complex as a determination of the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis or Prevotella intermedia in said specimen.