Abstract
Periodontal disease represents a group of oral inflammatory infections initiated by oral pathogens which exist as a complex biofilms on the tooth surface and cause destruction to tooth supporting tissues. The severity of this disease ranges from mild and reversible inflammation of the gingiva (gingivitis) to chronic destruction of connective tissues, the formation of periodontal pocket and ultimately result in loss of teeth. While human subgingival plaque harbors more than 500 bacterial species, considerable research has shown that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, is the major etiologic agent which contributes to chronic periodontitis. This black-pigmented bacterium produces a myriad of virulence factors that cause destruction to periodontal tissues either directly or indirectly by modulating the host inflammatory response. Here, this review provides an overview of P. gingivalis and how its virulence factors contribute to the pathogenesis with other microbiome consortium in oral cavity.
Highlights
Periodontal diseases are complex, multifactorial, polymicrobial infections characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues
Substantial data accumulated over the years has implicated the involvement of only a small proportion of bacteria, which reside in the subgingival niche, in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease
There is strong evidence that points to Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gramnegative anaerobes, as the keystone species in the development of chronic periodontitis
Summary
Periodontal diseases are complex, multifactorial, polymicrobial infections characterized by the destruction of tooth-supporting tissues. The disease begins as acute inflammation of the gingival tissue and untreated infections can progress to formation of teeth pockets, and eventually loss of teeth. The past decades of extensive research on P. gingivalis have produced various lines of evidences on the contribution of this anaerobe to the progression of periondontal disease. These findings are important in increasing our understanding on the virulence characteristics and cellular interaction between P. gingivalis and the host, thereby elucidating potential therapeutic approaches to control periodontal disease progression
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