Oral Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria and mixed oral biofilm communities

Oral Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria and mixed oral biofilm communities are complex polymicrobial assemblies that colonize the oral cavity, particularly the subgingival environment. These communities are the primary etiological agents of periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis, where a shift from aerobic to anaerobic species leads to chronic inflammation and tissue destruction [PMID: 15355360]. Key pathogens within these biofilms, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola, employ sophisticated mechanisms like quorum sensing and metabolic cross-feeding to survive and evade the host immune system [PMID: 15125628]. Therapeutic intervention focuses on the mechanical disruption of the biofilm and the use of antimicrobial agents to reduce the load of pathogenic species. However, the protective nature of the biofilm matrix makes these communities significantly more resistant to antibiotics compared to planktonic cells, posing a major challenge in clinical management [PMID: 21762155]. Effective treatment often requires a combination of physical debridement and targeted chemotherapy to restore a healthy microbial balance.

Other names

Dental plaqueSubgingival biofilmPeriodontal pathogensOral microbiotaRed complex bacteriaDental biofilm

Antimicrobials targeting these communities typically act by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis (e.g., beta-lactams), disrupting protein synthesis (e.g., tetracyclines), or interfering with DNA replication (e.g., metronidazole) [PMID: 15355360]. Additionally, antiseptic agents like chlorhexidine disrupt the bacterial cell membrane and prevent biofilm attachment [PMID: 28203155].