TAXONOMY, BIOLOGY, AND PERIODONTAL ASPECTS OF FUSOBACTERIUM-NUCLEATUM

The pathogenic potential of Fusobacterium nucleatrum and its significa nce in the development of periodontal diseases, as well as in infectio ns in other organs, have gained new interest for several reasons. Firs t, this bacterium has the potential to be pathogenic because of its nu mber and frequency in periodontal lesions, its production Of tissue ir ritants, its synergism, with other bacteria in mixed infections, and i ts ability to form aggregates with other suspected pathogens in period ontal disease and thus act as a bridge between early and late colonize rs on the tooth surface. Second, of the microbial species that are sta tistically associated with periodontal disease, F. nucleatum is the mo st common in clinical infections of other body sires. Third, during th e past few years, new techniques have made it possible to obtain more information about F. nucleatum on the genetic level, thereby also gain ing better knowledge of the structure and functions of the outer membr ane proteins (OMPs). OMPs are of great interest with respect to coaggr egation, cell nutrition, and antibiotic susceptibility. This review co vers what is known to date about F. nucleatum in general, such as taxo nomy and biology with special emphasis on its pathogenic potential. It s possible relationship to other periodontal bacteria in the developme nt of periodontal diseases and the possible roles played by OMPs are c onsidered.