Showing 13 of 13 organisms
Porphyromonas gingivalis
Periodontal Pathogen
A keystone pathogen in periodontal disease. This gram-negative anaerobe produces gingipains (cysteine proteases) that degrade host tissues and modulate immune responses, enabling dysbiosis even at low abundance.
Tannerella forsythia
Periodontal Pathogen
A gram-negative anaerobe and member of the red complex. Produces proteases (karilysin, mirolysin) and a unique S-layer glycoprotein that helps evade host immunity.
Treponema denticola
Periodontal Pathogen
A motile spirochete and the third member of the red complex. Its corkscrew motility allows tissue penetration, while dentilisin protease degrades host structural proteins.
Fusobacterium nucleatum
Bridge Species
A gram-negative anaerobe that serves as a critical "bridge" organism in dental biofilm. Its extensive co-aggregation abilities connect early colonizers to late-stage pathogens, enabling biofilm maturation.
Fusobacterium animalis
Bridge Species / Cancer-Associated
Recently reclassified as a distinct species from F. nucleatum. A gram-negative obligate anaerobe that shares bridge-species functions in oral biofilm but has drawn particular attention for its strong enrichment in colorectal cancer tissue, especially the Fna C2 clade.
Prevotella intermedia
Periodontal Pathogen
A gram-negative anaerobe that produces proteases and is strongly associated with acute periodontal conditions. Thrives in hormone-rich environments.
Campylobacter rectus
Periodontal Pathogen
A gram-negative microaerophilic organism that produces a surface-layer protein (S-layer) and cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) contributing to tissue destruction.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Aggressive Periodontitis Pathogen
A gram-negative facultative anaerobe strongly associated with aggressive (now: Grade C molar-incisor pattern) periodontitis. Produces leukotoxin A (LtxA) that kills neutrophils and monocytes.
Eikenella corrodens
Periodontal Pathogen
A gram-negative facultative anaerobe in the green complex and a member of the HACEK group. Characteristically "corrodes" agar surfaces. Found in early-to-moderate periodontal lesions.
Streptococcus mutans
Cariogenic Pathogen
The primary etiological agent of dental caries. Produces lactic acid from dietary sugars and synthesizes extracellular glucans that promote biofilm adhesion to tooth surfaces.
Streptococcus sanguinis
Health-Associated / Endocarditis Risk
A gram-positive facultative anaerobe and early colonizer of the tooth surface. Generally health-associated — it competes with S. mutans for binding sites and produces hydrogen peroxide that inhibits pathogen growth. However, it is also one of the most common causes of viridans group streptococcal infective endocarditis.
Candida albicans
Fungal Pathogen
The most common fungal organism in the oral cavity. A dimorphic yeast that exists as commensal in healthy individuals but becomes pathogenic during immune suppression, antibiotic use, or xerostomia. Forms cross-kingdom biofilms with oral bacteria.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Opportunistic Pathogen
A gram-negative aerobic rod and major opportunistic pathogen. NOT part of normal oral flora — its presence in the oral cavity indicates environmental contamination, nosocomial acquisition, or immunocompromised state. Intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics and forms robust biofilms.
Protective & Commensal Organisms
These health-associated organisms play beneficial roles in maintaining oral microbiome balance.
Streptococcus gordonii
Early colonizer that promotes health-associated biofilm. Co-aggregates with beneficial species and produces H2O2.
Veillonella parvula
Metabolizes lactate produced by streptococci, reducing acid damage. Metabolic cooperator in healthy biofilm. Nitrate-reducing capacity.
Rothia dentocariosa
Health-associated organism. Produces bacteriocins that inhibit pathogenic species. Nitrate-reducing capacity supports cardiovascular health.
Streptococcus oralis
Pioneer colonizer of tooth surfaces. Produces H2O2 and bacteriocins. Competes with pathogenic species for ecological niches.
Streptococcus mitis
Abundant commensal in healthy oral microbiome. Early colonizer that maintains biofilm homeostasis and resists pathogen colonization.
Actinomyces naeslundii
Health-associated organism involved in early biofilm formation. Promotes mineralization and competes with cariogenic bacteria.
Pattern Recognition Definitions
The analyzer detects these clinically significant pathogen patterns automatically.
Red Complex Signal
P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and T. denticola elevated together — the classic triad of severe periodontal dysbiosis.
Significance: The red complex represents the most pathogenic bacterial consortium in periodontal disease. Co-elevation indicates synergistic virulence with amplified tissue destruction.
Risk implication: High probability of active periodontal disease with progressive attachment and bone loss. Aggressive treatment planning recommended.
Required organisms: P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, T. denticola (minimum 2 elevated)
Bridge Species Signal
F. nucleatum and/or F. animalis elevated — indicates biofilm maturation and increased support for late-colonizer pathogens.
Significance: Fusobacterium species are critical bridge organisms connecting early colonizers to late-stage pathogens. Elevation signals progression toward a pathogenic biofilm community.
Risk implication: Increased risk of biofilm progression toward pathogenic state. May precede red complex elevation. Systemic association module should be reviewed for CRC risk.
Required organisms: F. nucleatum, F. animalis (minimum 1 elevated)
Aggressive Periodontitis Pattern
A. actinomycetemcomitans elevated, particularly concerning in younger patients.
Significance: A. actinomycetemcomitans produces leukotoxin that destroys neutrophils, the primary defense against periodontal pathogens. Highly leukotoxic strains cause rapid bone loss.
Risk implication: Risk of rapid, aggressive periodontal destruction. Particularly significant in patients under 35. Consider antibiotic adjunct therapy.
Required organisms: A. actinomycetemcomitans (minimum 1 elevated)
Cariogenic Challenge
S. mutans elevated with reduced S. sanguinis — indicates acidogenic microbial shift and loss of protective flora.
Significance: Elevation of S. mutans indicates an oral environment favoring demineralization. When combined with low S. sanguinis (protective competitor), caries risk is significantly amplified.
Risk implication: High caries risk requiring dietary counseling, fluoride therapy, and possibly antimicrobial intervention.
Required organisms: S. mutans (minimum 1 elevated)
Cancer-Associated Dysbiosis
F. animalis and/or F. nucleatum significantly elevated — organisms with documented cancer tissue associations.
Significance: F. animalis (Fna C2 clade) is the Fusobacterium species most enriched in colorectal cancer tissue. Co-elevation with F. nucleatum amplifies the cancer-associated microbial signal.
Risk implication: Not a cancer diagnostic. When significantly elevated, consider whether patient is current with age-appropriate colorectal cancer screening. Note for interdisciplinary discussion.
Required organisms: F. animalis, F. nucleatum (minimum 1 elevated)
Opportunistic Pathogen Signal
P. aeruginosa and/or C. albicans elevated — suggests possible immunocompromise or nosocomial acquisition.
Significance: P. aeruginosa is not normal oral flora; its presence suggests environmental contamination, hospitalization, or immunocompromise. C. albicans overgrowth indicates fungal dysbiosis from immune suppression, antibiotics, or xerostomia.
Risk implication: Evaluate patient immune status, medication history, and hospitalization history. Consider infectious disease consultation if both are significantly elevated.
Required organisms: P. aeruginosa, C. albicans (minimum 1 elevated)
Endocarditis-Associated Organisms
Multiple HACEK group organisms and/or viridans streptococci elevated — organisms known to cause infective endocarditis.
Significance: HACEK organisms (A. actinomycetemcomitans, E. corrodens) and viridans streptococci (S. sanguinis, S. mutans) are established causes of infective endocarditis. Multiple elevations increase bacteremia risk during dental procedures.
Risk implication: In patients with cardiac risk factors, ensure antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines are followed before invasive dental procedures. Coordinate with cardiology.
Required organisms: A. actinomycetemcomitans, E. corrodens, S. sanguinis, S. mutans (minimum 2 elevated)
Pregnancy-Associated Risk Pattern
Multiple organisms with adverse pregnancy outcome associations elevated together.
Significance: Co-elevation of P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, and C. rectus — all organisms with documented associations to adverse pregnancy outcomes — represents a compound risk signal.
Risk implication: In pregnant patients, prioritize periodontal treatment and coordinate with obstetrics. Enhanced oral hygiene protocols recommended.
Required organisms: P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, P. intermedia, C. rectus (minimum 2 elevated)
Socransky Microbial Complexes
The Socransky classification groups oral bacteria by their association with periodontal disease severity and their tendency to co-occur in biofilm communities.
Red Complex
Most pathogenic consortium. Strongly associated with severe chronic periodontitis, deep pockets, and progressive attachment loss.
Orange Complex
Bridge species that facilitate transition from health-associated to pathogenic biofilm. Support red complex colonization.
Green Complex
Associated with early-to-moderate periodontal disease. Includes A. actinomycetemcomitans linked to aggressive periodontitis.
Yellow Complex
Early colonizers generally associated with periodontal health. Streptococcal species that establish initial biofilm.
Purple Complex
Early colonizers that bridge between yellow complex and more pathogenic species.