Synergistic virulence of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola in a murine periodontitis model

Abstract

Chronic periodontitis is characterized by the destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth and has been associated with the presence of a subgingival polymicrobial biofilm containing Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola. We have investigated the potential synergistic virulence of P. gingivalis and T. denticola using a murine experimental model of periodontitis. An inoculation regime of four intra-oral doses of 1 × 1010P. gingivalis cells induced significant periodontal bone loss compared with loss in sham-inoculated mice, whereas doses of 1 × 109 cells or lower did not induce bone loss. Inoculation with T. denticola with up to eight doses of 1×1010 cells failed to induce bone ..