Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Actinomyces actinomycetemcomitans is a pathogenic bacterium associated with periodontal disease. The factors that determine its virulence include its ability to affect chemotaxis, produce leukotoxins, and destroy collagen—all of which enhance its pathogenic potential and contribute to tissue destruction and disease progression.

The production of leukotoxins is critical as these compounds specifically target white blood cells, leading to cell death and a compromised immune response, allowing the bacteria to thrive. Additionally, the destruction of collagen by this bacterium undermines the structural integrity of periodontal tissues, facilitating disease progression.

A factor considered not significant in determining the virulence of A. actinomycetemcomitans is its immuno-suppressive nature. While some pathogens actively suppress the host immune response as a mechanism of virulence, A. actinomycetemcomitans does not primarily operate through this mechanism. Its pathogenicity is more related to direct damage to tissues and evasion of immune responses rather than systemic immune suppression. Thus, the lack of a strong immuno-suppressive effect distinguishes it from other virulent pathogens and clarifies why this particular characteristic is not considered a significant factor in its virulence.