Periodontal and oral pathogenic bacteria

Periodontal and oral pathogenic bacteria refer to a diverse group of microorganisms, primarily anaerobic and Gram-negative species, that colonize the subgingival biofilm and drive the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis [3, 15]. Key members include the Red Complex (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans [5, 8]. These pathogens produce virulence factors such as gingipains, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and leukotoxins that trigger a chronic inflammatory response, leading to the destruction of the periodontium and alveolar bone [3, 10, 17]. Therapeutic strategies involve mechanical debridement supplemented by local or systemic antimicrobial agents like chlorhexidine, metronidazole, and doxycycline [1, 4, 15]. Beyond oral health, these bacteria are increasingly linked to systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease due to their ability to enter the bloodstream and promote systemic inflammation [7, 18, 20]. Modern drug development also explores host-modulating agents and specific inhibitors of bacterial virulence factors to restore microbial homeostasis [12, 13, 17].

Other names

Oral microbiomePeriodontopathogensSubgingival bacteriaDental plaque bacteriaRed complex bacteria

Antimicrobial agents target these bacteria through various mechanisms: cell wall synthesis inhibition (e.g., amoxicillin), protein synthesis inhibition (e.g., doxycycline, minocycline), DNA synthesis disruption (e.g., metronidazole), or membrane disruption (e.g., chlorhexidine) [1, 2]. Host-modulating therapies also inhibit bacterial-induced matrix metalloproteinases to prevent tissue destruction [4, 6].