Fusobacterium nucleatum
| Fusobacterium nucleatum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Fusobacteria |
| Order: | Fusobacteriales |
| Family: | Fusobacteriaceae |
| Genus: | Fusobacterium |
| Species: | F. nucleatum |
Fusobacterium nucleatum is an oral bacterium, indigenous to the human oral cavity, that plays a role in periodontal disease. This organism is commonly recovered from different monomicrobial and mixed infections in humans and animals. It is a key component of periodontal plaque due to its abundance and its ability to coaggregate with other species in the oral cavity.[1][2]
Preterm Births
Research implicates periodontal disease caused by F. nucleatum with preterm births in humans. In many studies, F. nucleatum cells have been isolated from the amniotic fluid, placenta, and chorioamnionic membranes of women delivering prematurely. Moreover, laboratory mice inoculated with F. nucleatum have been found to deliver prematurely, and the pathology of the infection seems to mirror observations in humans.[3] Together, this research provides strong evidence for a causal connection between F. nucleatum-caused periodontal disease and at least some cases of preterm delivery.
Colonic Adenomas
F. nucleatum has a demonstrated association with colon cancer; in addition, a mechanism has been described by which F. nucleatum induces tumor growth without the more general mechanism of inducing inflammation or otherwise irritating the colon tissue. This suggests direct and specific carcinogenesis.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ Kapatral V; et al. (2002). "Genome sequence and analysis of the oral bacterium 'Fusobacterium nucleatum' strain ATCC 25586.". J Bacteriol. 184 (7): 2005–2018. doi:10.1128/JB.184.7.2005-2018.2002. PMC 134920
. PMID 11889109. - ↑ Signat B; et al. (2011). "Fusobacterium nucleatum in Periodontal Health and Disease". Curr Iss Mol Biol. 13 (2): 25–36.
- ↑ http://iai.asm.org/cgi/content/short/72/4/2272
- ↑ Kostic AD, Chun E, Robertson L, Glickman JN, Gallini CA, Michaud M, Clancy TE, Chung DC, Lochhead P, Hold GL, El-Omar EM, Brenner D, Fuchs CS, Meyerson M, Garrett WS (Aug 14, 2013). "Fusobacterium nucleatum Potentiates Intestinal Tumorigenesis and Modulates the Tumor-Immune Microenvironment.". Cell host & microbe. 14 (2): 207–15. doi:10.1016/j.chom.2013.07.007. PMID 23954159.