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Porphyromonas gingivalis as a Model Organism for Assessing Interaction of Anaerobic Bacteria with Host Cells
Published on: December 17, 2015
The Bacteria-Fungi-Phage Interplay in Periodontitis and Peri-Implantitis
Zhaoxin Ji1, Lingying Kang1, Sirui Liu1
1Beijing Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
International Journal of Dentistry
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Interactions between bacteria, fungi, and bacteriophages drive periodontitis and peri-implantitis. Targeting these polymicrobial communities offers new therapeutic strategies for oral diseases.
Area of Science:
- Oral microbiology
- Periodontology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Periodontitis and peri-implantitis involve complex oral microbial communities.
- Understanding the interplay between bacteria, fungi, and bacteriophages is crucial for disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on bacteria-fungi-bacteriophage interactions in periodontitis and peri-implantitis.
- To discuss the ecological, pathogenic, and clinical implications of these interactions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review synthesizing current research on the oral microbiome.
- Focus on the interplay between bacteria, fungi, and bacteriophages in oral diseases.
Main Results:
- Disease progression shows a shift towards polymicrobial synergy.
- Interactions like coadhesion and cross-feeding enhance virulence.
- Bacteriophages show potential for disrupting pathogenic biofilms.
- The bacteria-fungi-phage consortium exacerbates inflammation and tissue damage.
Conclusions:
- An integrated, multikingdom view of the oral ecosystem is vital for clinical progress.
- Personalized interventions combining multiomics and targeted therapies are needed.
- Effective strategies should disrupt biofilms, restore homeostasis, and combat antimicrobial resistance.
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