AUTHOR=Chen Yuanxin , Huang Zhijie , Tang Zhengming , Huang Yisheng , Huang Mingshu , Liu Hongyu , Ziebolz Dirk , Schmalz Gerhard , Jia Bo , Zhao Jianjiang 

TITLE=More Than Just a Periodontal Pathogen –the Research Progress on Fusobacterium nucleatum

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2022.815318

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2022.815318

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Fusobacterium nucleatum</italic> is a common oral opportunistic bacterium that can cause different infections. In recent years, studies have shown that <italic>F. nucleatum</italic> is enriched in lesions in periodontal diseases, halitosis, dental pulp infection, oral cancer, and systemic diseases. Hence, it can promote the development and/or progression of these conditions. The current study aimed to assess research progress in the epidemiological evidence, possible pathogenic mechanisms, and treatment methods of <italic>F. nucleatum</italic> in oral and systemic diseases. Novel viewpoints obtained in recent studies can provide knowledge about the role of <italic>F. nucleatum</italic> in hosts and a basis for identifying new methods for the diagnosis and treatment of <italic>F. nucleatum</italic>-related diseases.</p>