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Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
Published on: December 17, 2015
Porphyromonas gingivalis and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a review on its intricate pathogenic mechanisms
Aditi Chopra1, Raghu Radhakrishnan2, Mohit Sharma3
1Department of Periodontology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
Insights
Porphyromonas gingivalis, a common oral bacterium, is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes like preeclampsia and preterm labor. This review details its molecular mechanisms causing these complications.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Infectious disease
Background:
- Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is an oral bacterium associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- These outcomes include preeclampsia, preterm labor, spontaneous abortion, gestational diabetes, and fetal growth restriction.
- P. gingivalis possesses virulence factors that can damage maternal and fetal tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review the molecular pathogenic mechanisms of P. gingivalis in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
- To highlight recent and unique insights into how P. gingivalis causes complications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on P. gingivalis and pregnancy outcomes.
- Analysis of molecular mechanisms, virulence factors, and host responses.
Main Results:
- P. gingivalis can directly injure fetal and maternal tissues.
- It alters tissue morphology and the microbiome.
- It exacerbates cytokine and free radical production, increasing preterm labor risk.
Conclusions:
- P. gingivalis contributes to adverse pregnancy outcomes through specific molecular pathways.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate these intricate mechanisms.
- Understanding these mechanisms can inform prevention and treatment strategies.
Abstract:
Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a Gram-negative facultative anaerobe of the oral cavity, is associated with the onset of various adverse pregnancy outcomes. P. gingivalis is linked with the development of preeclampsia, preterm labour, spontaneous abortion, gestational diabetes, foetal growth restriction, and misconception. The unique virulence factors, surface adhesions, enzymes of P. gingivalis can directly injure and alter the morphology, microbiome the foetal and maternal tissues. P. gingivalis can even exaggerate the production of cytokines, free radicals and acute-phase proteins in the uterine compartment that increases the risk of myometrial contraction and onset of preterm labour. Although evidence confirms the presence of P. gingivalis in the amniotic fluid and placenta of women with poor pregnancy outcomes, the intricate molecular mechanisms by which P. gingivalis initiates various antenatal and postnatal maternal and foetal complications are not well explained in the literature. Therefore, the present review aims to comprehensively summarise and highlight the recent and unique molecular pathogenic mechanisms of P. gingivalis associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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