Other Factors

Dysbiosis

Oral dysbiosis or dysbacteriosis refers to “a state associated with disease”; symbiosis refers to health1.

Candida

[Coming soon.]

Fusospirochetal Complex

Much has been written about the fusospirochetal complex, which is described as a high abundance of Fusobacteria, spirochetes, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (Clinical Oral Microbiology, p. 71). It is highly tissue-destructive. When seen in cases of acute ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG), there may be a correlation to severe malnutrition, or viruses that are known to depress the cell-mediated host response, such as cytomegolavirus (p. 71).

Virulence and pathogenicity

Transportation

Spirochetes and gliding rods like F. nucleatum and Capnocytophaga spp. are able to transport non-motile microorganisms like Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Bacteroides spp. to distal locations in the body (Clinical Oral Microbiology, p. 67). Spirochetes, in particular, may be useful “marker organisms for monitoring treatment” (Clinical Oral Microbiology, p. 69).

Adhesion

“Bacterial adherence is an essential virulence factor in pathogenesis and infection. Fusobacterium nucleatum has a central role in oral biofilm architecture by acting as a bridge between early Gram-positive and late Gram-negative colonizers that do not otherwise adhere to each other.” Characterization of Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 23726 adhesins involved in strain-specific attachment to Porphyromonas gingivalis. Jane Park, Bhumika Shokeen, Susan K Haake & Renate Lux. International Journal of Oral Science volume 8, pages 138–144 (2016)

Health associations with other genera

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“Campylobacter concisus, a bacterium colonizing the human oral cavity, has been shown to be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).” Yazan Ismail, et al. Investigation of the Enteric Pathogenic Potential of Oral Campylobacter concisus Strains Isolated from Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. May 30, 2012

Pre-term delivery

“Campylobacter rectus is a periodontal pathogen associated with human fetal exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm delivery.” R.M. Arce, et al. Characterization of the invasive and inflammatory traits of oral Campylobacter rectus in a murine model of fetoplacental growth restriction and in trophoblast cultures. J Reprod Immunol. 2010 Mar; 84(2): 145–153.

 

References

[1] The oral microbiome – an update for oral healthcare professionals. M Kilian, et al. BDJ volume 221, pages 657–666 (18 November 2016).