Porphyromonas bacteria are rod-shaped, Gram-negative and anaerobic oral bacteria. They grow best where oxygen is limited, which makes the gum line and dental plaque suitable places for their lifestyle.
For example, Porphyromonas gingivalis lives in oral biofilms close to the gum line. Within this oxygen-limited neighbourhood, Porphyromonas gingivalis can persist, interact with surrounding microbes and become associated with bad breath and gum disease. Here, the bacterium can infect the gum and contribute to erosion of the tissue around the teeth, leading to periodontitis.
To survive immune attacks, Porphyromonas gingivalis relies on its capsule, a protective sugar coat. This capsule helps some Porphyromonas gingivalis strains become highly invasive and capable of spreading infection.
When bacteria enter the human body, they are welcomed by our immune system that is ready to fight them off. However, some bacteria can put on invisibility cloaks that help them hide from the immune system. Thanks to this sugar coat – the so-called bacterial capsule – bacteria can sneak into our bodies, infect us and make us sick.
The microbial world is super colorful and diverse.
Even though, we sometimes hear too many negative news articles about certain players of the microbial world, we should not forget about all the other interesting and helpful microbes.
To remind you that the microbial world consists of so many more players, we assembled this list of common and interesting microbes.