Pathogenic gut and oral microorganisms

Pathogenic gut and oral microorganisms encompass a diverse array of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that inhabit the human digestive tract and oral cavity, often leading to disease when their populations expand or shift (dysbiosis). In the oral cavity, pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans are key drivers of periodontitis and dental caries, respectively (NIH, 2023). These oral microbes can translocate to the gastrointestinal tract, where they have been linked to the exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the progression of colorectal cancer, particularly in the case of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Kitamoto et al., 2020). Within the gut, specific pathogens like Helicobacter pylori and Clostridioides difficile are primary targets for clinical intervention due to their roles in gastric ulcers and antibiotic-associated colitis (StatPearls, 2023). Therapeutic strategies primarily involve the use of antibiotics such as metronidazole and vancomycin to reduce pathogen load, although these treatments can inadvertently disrupt beneficial commensal bacteria (PubMed, 2022). Emerging therapies aim to more selectively target these pathogens or use probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation to restore a healthy microbial balance and enhance host immunity. The complexity of these microbial communities presents a significant challenge for targeted drug delivery and the prevention of antimicrobial resistance.

Other names

Oral-gut pathogensDysbiotic microbiotaEnteric pathogensPeriodontal pathogensPathogenic microflora

Inhibition of essential microbial processes including cell wall synthesis, protein synthesis, and DNA replication; disruption of biofilm structural integrity; and competitive exclusion by beneficial microbes.