Pathogens in the Oral Cavity

Lucy Hua
The oral cavity consists of teeth, tongue, and the mucous membrane .
Treponema vincentii Most pathogens attack the mucous membrane which is an epithelial Entamoeba gingivalis
B. Vincentii is a spirochete bacteria. It is part of the E. gingivalis is a non-pathogenic parasitic protozoa.
lining in the mouth and infect. The mouth is also normally moist and is However, it becomes a secondary infection to individuals
normal flora but can cause infections in the gums when a “portal of entry” for food, water, air, and pathogens! The moise
the numbers of bacteria increases. They infect and who already have periodontal disease. E. gingivalis have
destroy mucous membranes causing periodontal disease.
environment creates a perfect home for a lot of pathogens to live and pseudopodia allowing them to move quickly. They love
the nutrients from the food/water that get trapped in the mouth and grow in between teeth and gum line area and look
allows the pathogen to feed/grow/replicate. “macrophage-like” but larger.
Symptoms:
• Gum inflammation
• Gum sensitivity They have two stages – cyst stage (infective) and trophozoite
• Some extreme cases can cause gangrene stage (replication). Transmission if through oral contact with
• Receding gums the parasite during its cyst stage (small; eating and storing
• Oedematous gums (excess amount of fluid around cells) energy stage).
• Create puss
Symptoms:
• Dehydration, weight loss, and poor appetite
Unlike other Treponema ssp., T. vincentii has an outer
• Unstable gait
membrane containing lipopolysaccharide (LPS). They also
• Gum inflammation
have outer surface proteins (Osp; named Osp A to Osp F) that
• Gum redness and bleeding
help with iron intake, pore diffusion, and adhesion as well as
• Pocket formation between gums
being drug, bile, complement, and serum resistance.
• Receding gums
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2666356/
http://www.zooeco.org/zooeco/soczee/meetings/CRTBI/abstract/bunikis.asp
Figure 1: shows Osp blocking http://archive.samj.org.za/1957%20VOLXXXI%20Jul-Dec/Articles/11%20Novemb
er/2.4%20MOUTH%20INFECTION%20AND%20TREPONEMA%20VINCENTI.%20W.
http://www.ehow.com/about_6797946_life-cycle-entamoeba-gingivalis.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2669679/
surface for antibody binding. G.M.%
20Seymour.pdf

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Oral HPV are dangerous because of its oncogenic risk. This P. Brasiliensis is a fungus that can infect the oral cavity. Transmission is through
oral virus lives on skin and mucous membranes. inhalation of spores through nose and mouth.

The fungus is systemic mycoses; after entering the body

There are several gene that are involved with HPV
virulence. E1 and E2 genes are involved with
replication and transcription. E5 induces the activity
of epithelial growth. And E6 and E7 interferes with
the host’s cell cycle. Gene E6 and E7 bind to tumor
suppressor genes Rb and p53 respectively. The
binding of HPV gene E6 and E7 to host protein
inhibits protein function and induces cell
replication.
HPV can cause on your lips, tongue, gums, throat, and palate. HPV can also cause oral cancer
of epithelial cell on the mucosa lining. Other symptoms are lesions, blisters, pain, swelling,
inflammation, and irritation in the mouth.
http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/51/2/92/F3B
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/humanpapillomavirus.htm
http://www.endoexperience.com/documents/Oral_Viral_Infetions_in_Adults.pdf
it can spread through the lymphatic system and
circulates through the liver and spleen. It frequently
infects mucous membranes, bone and lungs.
Symptoms:
• Painful lesions
• Mucus ulcers (spreads through time)
• Swollen lymph nodes along the neck
• Puss formation
• Fever
• Peritonitis (inflammation of peritoneum)
• Abdominal pain
http://www.nethealthbook.com/articles/paracoccidioidomycosis.php
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1077685-overview
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/224628-overview
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19879504