Pathogenic oral and gut bacteria

Pathogenic oral and gut bacteria refer to a diverse group of microorganisms inhabiting the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract that are associated with the development of local and systemic diseases. In a healthy state, these niches are occupied by commensal flora that maintain homeostasis; however, dysbiosis can lead to the overgrowth of pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Klebsiella species. These bacteria can translocate from the oral cavity to the gut via the hematogenous or enteral routes, where they contribute to chronic inflammation and have been linked to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. Therapeutic strategies targeting these bacteria include broad-spectrum and targeted antibiotics, which disrupt essential bacterial functions, as well as probiotics and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) designed to restore a healthy microbial balance. Monitoring these populations often involves genomic sequencing and inflammatory biomarkers to assess treatment efficacy and the risk of secondary infections.

Other names

Oral-gut axis pathogensDysbiotic oral and intestinal microbiotaPathogenic microbiomePeriodontal and enteric pathogens

Antibiotics target specific bacterial processes such as cell wall synthesis (e.g., beta-lactams), protein synthesis (e.g., macrolides), or DNA replication (e.g., fluoroquinolones). Probiotics and prebiotics aim to restore microbial balance through competitive exclusion, production of antimicrobial substances (bacteriocins), and modulation of the host immune system.