About this Research Topic
Periodontitis is one of the most common diseases in the world, though one of the least understood at the pathophysiological level. The bittersweet interactions between the host and its periodontal microbiota are variable along time and space, and are of central interest for the development of the disease. Besides the historical, bona fide periodontal pathogens, i.e., the red complex bacteria - Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia - and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, some candidate pathogens are (re-)emerging. In addition, some patho-modulator organisms can modify the periodontal ecology and may make this environment acquire traits leading to disease development or exacerbation. These candidates belong to all the kingdoms of the living and their role is yet to be defined. The study of the complex ecology resulting from their interactions among the flora and with the host will allow us to determine the key elements and events in the transition from health to the various types of periodontal diseases.
The identification of the pathogens and patho-modulators of the periodontal flora is an essential step in the development of novel prophylactic, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies targeting periodontitis. Once identified, their biological characteristics and properties, such as their virulence factors and mode of action must be studied. These factors are to be considered in the different ecological contexts, during the association with other members of the biofilm suffering attacks by the environment and the host defenses. The resilience of the possible local and temporary equilibria can be a key to the therapeutic failures and disease relapses in periodontal disease. Breaking the collaborative patterns conferring a selective advantage within these ecological niches is a promising strategy, though needing a deep knowledge of the temporal and spatial changes in the microbiota during the life of the patient undergoing periodontitis.
The aim of this Research Topic is to gather pioneering research and concepts to push the frontiers of our knowledge about the link between microbes and periodontitis. We encourage the submission of all of article types welcome in the journal.
We welcome articles on, but not limited to the following areas:
• New organisms of any kingdom linked to periodontitis
• Temporal-spatial composition of the microbiota
• Metabolic cooperation within the microbiota
• Signals, modulation, and maturation of the biofilm in periodontitis
• Microbial and therapeutic molecular weapons against periodontal disease
• Immune response to microbiota
• Bacterial translocation and systemic diseases
Dr. Julien Santi-Rocca is employed by Science and Healthcare for Oral Welfare, a private company that raises funds for research in science. The other topic editors declare no conflict of interests with regards to the Research Topic theme.
The identification of the pathogens and patho-modulators of the periodontal flora is an essential step in the development of novel prophylactic, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies targeting periodontitis. Once identified, their biological characteristics and properties, such as their virulence factors and mode of action must be studied. These factors are to be considered in the different ecological contexts, during the association with other members of the biofilm suffering attacks by the environment and the host defenses. The resilience of the possible local and temporary equilibria can be a key to the therapeutic failures and disease relapses in periodontal disease. Breaking the collaborative patterns conferring a selective advantage within these ecological niches is a promising strategy, though needing a deep knowledge of the temporal and spatial changes in the microbiota during the life of the patient undergoing periodontitis.
The aim of this Research Topic is to gather pioneering research and concepts to push the frontiers of our knowledge about the link between microbes and periodontitis. We encourage the submission of all of article types welcome in the journal.
We welcome articles on, but not limited to the following areas:
• New organisms of any kingdom linked to periodontitis
• Temporal-spatial composition of the microbiota
• Metabolic cooperation within the microbiota
• Signals, modulation, and maturation of the biofilm in periodontitis
• Microbial and therapeutic molecular weapons against periodontal disease
• Immune response to microbiota
• Bacterial translocation and systemic diseases
Dr. Julien Santi-Rocca is employed by Science and Healthcare for Oral Welfare, a private company that raises funds for research in science. The other topic editors declare no conflict of interests with regards to the Research Topic theme.
Keywords: Periodontitis, Microbiota, Host-microbe interaction
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
