Bacteroides gracilisin Periodontal Health and Disease

Global Epidemiology of Campylobacter Infection

Campylobacter jejuni infection is one of the most widespread infectious diseases of the last century. The incidence and prevalence of campylobacteriosis have increased in both developed and developing countries over the last 10 years. The dramatic increase in North America, Europe, and Australia is alarming, and data from parts of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East indicate that campylobacteriosis is endemic in these areas, especially in children. In addition to C. jejuni, there is increasing recognition of the clinical importance of emerging Campylobacter species, including Campylobacter concisus and Campylobacter ureolyticus. Poultry is a major reservoir and source of transmission of campylobacteriosis to humans. Other risk factors include consumption of animal products and water, contact with animals, and international travel. Strategic implementation of multifaceted biocontrol measures to reduce the transmission of this group of pathogens is paramount for public health. Overall, campylobacteriosis is still one of the most important infectious diseases that is likely to challenge global health in the years to come. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the global epidemiology, transmission, and clinical relevance of Campylobacter infection.

Shifts in Campylobacter species abundance may reflect general microbial community shifts in periodontitis progression

Background

Oral Campylobacter species have been found to be associated with periodontitis progression. While the etiological significance of Campylobacter rectus is quite established, the association of C. gracilis, C. concisus, and C. curvus with health or disease remains contradictory.

Objectives

This study hypothesizes that the proportion of species within the Campylobacter genus rather than the absolute abundance of a single species is a suitable indicator for periodontitis progression.

Design

Subgingival plaque from 90 periodontitis patients and gingival sulcus fluid of 32 healthy individuals were subjected to a newly developed nested PCR approach, in which all Campylobacter spp. were amplified simultaneously. The resulting mixture of 16S-rRNA-gene-amplicons were separated by single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) gel electrophoresis, followed by sequencing and identification of excised bands and relative quantification of band intensities. In all samples, the abundance of selected periodontitis marker species was determined based on DNA hybridization on a microarray.

Results

The highly prevalent Campylobacter community was composed of varying proportions of C. rectus, C. gracilis, C. concisus, and C. curvus. Cluster analysis based on SSCP-banding pattern resulted in distinct groups which in turn coincided with significant differences in abundance of established periodontitis marker species (Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum) and progression.

Conclusions

The shift in the Campylobacter community composition seems to display the general microbial community shift during clinical progression in a simplified manner. The focus on members of the Campylobacter in this study suggests that this genus can be an indicator of ecological changes in the subgingival oral microflora.

Campylobacter species in health, gingivitis, and periodontitis

At least seven Campylobacter species have been identified from subgingival sites. Campylobacter rectus has been implicated as a periodontal pathogen; however, association with periodontal infections of other Campylobacter species, especially the newly described Campylobacter showae, is unclear. This study examined which Campylobacter species were associated with periodontal health and disease. Subgingival Campylobacter species from initial and established periodontitis were compared with species from periodontally healthy subjects, including subjects with gingivitis. Campylobacter species were isolated on selective media and identified by whole-cell protein profiles (SDS-PAGE). Except for C. rectus, Campylobacter levels were frequently below the detection limit (2-5% of the microbiota) of non-selective culture methods. C. rectus and C. showae, including Campylobacter X, were found more frequently and in higher levels from diseased than from healthy periodontal sites. C. gracilis was the dominant Campylobacter species found in relatively shallow pockets; however, its presence was unrelated to periodontal health or disease. C. concisus was isolated in higher proportions from relatively shallow and healthy sites, compared with deeper pockets. C. curvus was unrelated to periodontal health or disease. Analysis of the study data confirmed the relationship of C. rectus with diseased subgingival sites and indicated that C. showae may also be associated with periodontal disease.