| Description | Fusobacterium periodonticum is a microbe that inhabits a wide range of body sites, including the oral cavity, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. It is classified as a thermophilic microbe, preferring temperatures between 37°C and 45°C. In terms of metabolism, F. periodonticum is a heterotroph, requiring organic compounds as its energy source. It produces energy through the process of fermentation, breaking down complex carbohydrates and proteins to produce ATP. F. periodonticum is a gram-negative, rod-shaped microbe, with a characteristic fusiform shape. It is a non-motile microbe, meaning it is unable to move independently. Its presence has been detected in various body sites, including the oral cavity, skin, and gastrointestinal tract, as well as in dental plaque, abscesses, and other inflammatory lesions. As an obligate anaerobe, F. periodonticum is unable to survive in the presence of oxygen. It is highly susceptible to oxygen toxicity, and its growth is inhibited by even small amounts of oxygen. However, it is able to thrive in low-oxygen environments, such as the oral cavity, where it plays a key role in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates and proteins. F. periodonticum has been implicated in various human diseases, including periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by the destruction of periodontal tissue. It is also a common inhabitant of dental plaque, where it forms biofilms with other microorganisms. Despite its role in disease, F. periodonticum is also thought to play a role in the development and maintenance of the human gut microbiome. |
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