Novel pathogens in periodontal microbiology

Abstract

Periodontitis is a polymicrobial disease caused by complex interactions between distinct pathogens in a biofilm resulting in the destruction of periodontal tissues. It seems evident that unknown microorganisms might be involved in onset or progression of periodontitis. For many decades, research in the field of oral microbiology failed to identify certain subgingival microbiota due to technical limitations but, over a period of 12 years using molecular approaches and sequencing techniques, it became feasible to reveal the existence of new periodontal pathogens. Therefore, it is evident that in addition to conventional periodontal pathogens, other microbes might be involved in onset and progression of periodontitis. The novel pathogens enlisted under periodontal phylogeny include Cryptobacterium curtum, Dialister pneumosintes, Filifactor alocis, Mitsuokella dentalis, Slackia exigua, Selenomonas sputigena, Solobacterium moorei, Treponema lecithinolyticum, and Synergistes. The polymicrobial etiology of periodontitis has been elucidated by comprehensive techniques, and studies throwing light on the possible virulence mechanisms possessed by these novel periodontal pathogens are enlisted.

Dental Biofilm as Etiological Agent of Canine Periodontal Disease

“…P. dentalis (formerly Mitsuokella dentalis) was originally named after Japanese bacteriologist Mitsuok, who described this organism for the first time [38]. Mitsuoka isolates a large number of P. dentalis strains from humans, dogs and pigs that seem to be closely related to the Bacteroides genus [73].…”

SOD2 is upregulated in periodontitis to reduce further inflammation progression

“…Periodontitis has been regarded to be initiated by bacterial infection followed by uncontrolled immune response of host (Hiranmayi, Sirisha, Ramoji Rao, & Sudhakar, ). Based on this idea, many nonsurgical periodontal therapies were developed to cure periodontitis (Noraian & Cobb, ; Tsang, Corbet, & Jin, ).…”

Prevotella intermedia and periodontitis are associated with severe asthma

“…Given the importance of host-microbiota interaction in the context of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, 5,16 and recognizing that the human oral cavity is home to a wide range of microorganisms, 14,17 including a variety of pathogens typically associated with periodontitis, 15 the present study endeavored to investigate associations between five of these pathogens and severe asthma in adults.…”