Études d'infections mixtes anaérobies comportant Bacteroides gingivalis

Abstract

The infectiousness of several combinations of bacteria containing B. gingivalis and other bacteria associated with periodontal diseases was evaluated by s.c. injection to guinea pigs. Among the 7 mixtures studied, only 1 permitted the development of an infection easily transmissible to a 2nd guinea pig. This bacterial mixture was composed of B. gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Eubacterium saburreum and Capnocytophaga ochracea (formerly B. ochraceus). Owing to its ability to synthesize many lytic enzymes and potentially cytotoxic products, B. gingivalis represented the most virulent species of the mixture. Results from in vitro studies suggest that the development of B. gingivalis in the infected animal depends on the growth of C. ochracea. Succinic acid produced in lage amount by C. ochracea seems to be 1 of the growth factors used by B. gingivalis.