Persistence of Tannerella forsythia and Fusobacterium nucleatum in Dental Plaque: a Strategic Alliance

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe Gram-negative oral pathogenTannerella forsythia is implicated in the pathogenesis of periodontitis, an inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of the tooth-supporting structures affecting over 700 million people worldwide. This review highlights the basis of why and howT. forsythia interacts withFusobacterium nucleatum, a bacterium considered to be a bridge between the early and late colonizing bacteria of the dental plaque.Recent FindingsThe recent findings indicate that these two organisms have a strong mutualistic relationship that involves foraging byT. forsythia onF. nucleatum peptidoglycan and utilization of glucose, released by the hydrolytic activity ofT. forsythia glucanase, as a nutrient byF. nucleatum. In addition,T. forsythia has the unique ability to generate a toxic and inflammogenic compound, methylglyoxal, from glucose. This compound can induce inflammation, leading to the degradation of periodontal tissues and release of host components as nutrients for bacteria to further exacerbate the disease.SummaryIn summary, this article will present our current understanding of mechanisms underpinningT. forsythia-F. nucleatum mutualism, and how this mutualism might impact periodontal disease progression.
Source: Current Oral Health Reports - Category: Dentistry Source Type: research