BANA Test
 The BANA Test is a
simple and quick test for three bacteria (Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas
gingivalis, and Bacteroides forsythus) associated with
periodontal disease and bad breath (dental malodor:
bad breath caused by oral bacteria, as opposed to sinus problems or
foods). These particular bacteria are highly associated with periodontal disease and believed to be important risk factors by most
researchers.
FYI: bad breath is referred to as halitosis |
BANA stands for benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide
(a synthetic peptide - proteins are made of peptides). These three bacteria
contain a distinctive enzyme that can break down BANA, and it is this breakdown
of BANA that is indicative of their presence.
The BANA test is simple: a sample of the bacteria is applied to a small plastic test strip and inserted into a
incubator for five minutes (see picture above). If any of the three
bacteria are present, the strip turns blue. The test is very sensitive,
that is, it can detect very small numbers of bacteria, and is comparable in
sensitivity to DNA probes, but much faster and far less expensive.
These bacteria grow in the absence of oxygen (between teeth /
below the gumline) and are referred to as anaerobic bacteria. The
metabolism of anaerobic bacteria is much like what occurs in a compost
pile (breakdown of food in the absence of oxygen), and the results are
similar. Anaerobic breakdown of protein results in sulfides which have a
distinctively unpleasant odor - bad breath. The BANA test can therefore be
used as an impartial test for dental malodor.
The great advantage of identifying the presence
of these bacteria is that the anaerobic periodontal infection can be treated
very specifically.
Regarding identifying the potential for bad
breath, the BANA test is more consistent than meters (halimeter) that measure
VSC's (volatile sulfur compounds).
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