Periodontal disease refers to various diseases that affect the tissues that surround the teeth. It may cause continuous loss of alveolar borne that surround the teeth and eventually loss of teeth if untreated. Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that attach themselves to and thrive on the tooth (Genco, R.J& Slots, J, 2002).
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a gram negative non motile rod that causes both oral and non oral diseases (which may include thyroid gland abscess, urinary tract infection among others). It is associated with sever periodontal disease and it has a high prevalence in any set of a population. A cross relation however, have been established between localized juvenile periodontitis and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Moore WEC & Moore LVIT, 2002).
Bacteroides forsythus is a gram negative anaerobic bacterium that acts as an etiological agent in periodontal disease. These bacteria inhibit deep periodontal lesions and had been associated with destructive and recalcitrant adult periodontitis. Fusiform Bacteroides as was first reffed to, was first discover in 1979 when it was isolated and relate to sever periodontitis (Moore WEC & Moore LVIT, 2000). It was later retrieved from subgigival and supragigival of periodontal patient. Bacteria are fastidious and thrive slowly in blood agar plates to small groups of pinpoint and satellite pattern after a long incubation and absolute anaerobic conditions. In the years ago the studies of this bacteria was far much limited because of its fast growth (Genco R.J & Slots J, 2000).
Porphyromonas gingivals is a non motile, rod shaped anaerobic pathogenic bacterium that form black spots on blood sample as a result of accumulation of hemin used as iron source for bacteria growth. It is commonly found in the mouth and is associated with various forms of periodontal disease and also gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and colon infections. Porphyromonas gingival in the mouth may cause mouth inflammatory process and possibly precursor in adults suffering from periodontal disease (Moore WEC & Moore LVIT, 2000). The infection occurs near the root of the tooth thus causing tooth infection and later tooth decay. In sever periodontal disease, collagen degradation is always associated with this bacteria. People with high level of intake of metal and especially iron are at a high risk of contracting porphyromonas gingival and periodontal disease as the bacteria use the iron for their growth. Since these bacteria are found in the mouth there is constant energy flow due to the fact that all sugars and carbohydrates pass through the mouth to the intestinal tract (Hassel, T. & Hefti A, 1999).
Fusobacterium nucleatum is one of the microbiota that causes oral infection in human beings. It belongs to the species of fusobacteria found in the teeth plaque coating and is important n biofilm ecology and oral infection in human. Teeth plaque is a changing and prominent microbial community that forms a coating on the teeth. Fusobacterium nucleatum form the basic physical interaction center between gram positive and gram negative thus they are preferred in biofilm ecology (Genco R.J & Slots J, 2000). Despite the positive role of Fusobacterium nucleatum they are also associated with periodontal disease; however, these bacteria are also associated with other kind of infections in the body, which may include; liver, lungs, abdominal and gynecological infections. This bacterium is also associated with pregnancy problems including giving birth to premature low weight babies. There are about five sub species of fusobacterium nucleatum;polymorphum, nucleatum,vicentii, fusiforme, and animalis (Genco, R.J& Slots, J, 2002).
References
- Genco, R.J& Slots, J,( 2002),The Origin of Periodontal Infections. Adv Dent Res.
- Hassel, T.& Hefti A, (1999), Drug Induced Gingival Overgrowth: Old problem, new problem. Crit Oral Biol Med.
- Moore WEC & Moore LVIT, (2000), The Bacteria of Periodontal Disease. Periodontal
- Genco R.J & Slots J, (2000) Host response in Periodontal Disease. Dent Res.