How Periodontitis Bacteria Borrow Growth Molecules From Their Neighbors?

The human body is filled with beneficial bacteria. But even the kindest and most harmless is fraught with danger. For example bacteria, Veillonella parvula contribute to the growth and reproduction of bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis, which in turn cause gum disease. This conclusion was made by a study by specialists from the University of Buffalo.

The aim of the study is to understand how Porphyromonas gingivalis forms colonies in the oral cavity. The fact that the pathogen can not produce its own molecule of growth until it reaches a large population in the oral cavity microbiome. It was necessary to understand how the pathogenic bacterium, whose population in a healthy oral cavity is negligible, achieves its insidious goal. It turned out that pathogens use the growth molecules secreted by Veillonella parvula, which are not considered to be pathogenic.

Since there are very few Porphyromonas gingivalis in a healthy organism, they are very difficult to reproduce. However, when oral hygiene becomes unsatisfactory, plaque builds up and the bacteria Veillonella parvula secrete many growth molecules that stimulate the proliferation of Porphyromonas gingivalis.

According to statistics, 47% of people over the age of 30 have some form of periodontitis. Understanding the reproduction process of Porphyromonas Gingivalis will lead to targeted treatments for the disease, says Patricia Diaz, M.D., Ph.D., lead research researcher, and Professor of Empire Innovation at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

“After studying Porphyromonas gingivalis for almost two decades, they concluded that the bacteria required a large population to grow, but it was not clear what processes lead to this. but the specific processes that lead to this phenomenon have not been fully understood, ”says Diaz. “Successfully targeting Veillonella Parvula with medicinal agents will prevent the P. gingivalis colony from growing to pathological levels,” says Dr. Diaz.

In the study, the authors tested the effect of growth molecules secreted by microorganisms in the mouth on Porphyromonas gingivalis. As part of the work, 5 types of bacteria that are common in gingivitis were considered.