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.

Keywords: Novel microbiota; periodontitis; polymicrobial infection.

Figure 1

Cryptobacterium curtum scanning electron micrograph

Figure 2

In situ hybridization image of Filifactor alocis (a) F. alocis forms tree like structures among coccoid and fusiform bacteria (b) F. alocis forms palisades with fusiform bacteria around large rod shaped eubacterial organisms (c) F. alocis being part of concentric bacterial aggregations

Figure 3

Slackia exigua scanning electron micrograph

Figure 4

Transmission electron microscopic image of Dialister pneumosintes

Figure 5

Morphology of Treponema lecithinolyticum (modified steiner silver stain)

Figure 6

Morphology of Synergistes