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Growth stimulation of Treponema denticola by periodontal microorganisms

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek volume 57, pages 63–70 (1990)Cite this article

Abstract

Previous experiments have indicated that enrichment of subgingival plaque in human serum can lead to the accumulation of Treponema denticola. T. denticola depends on bacterial interactions for its growth in serum. Aim of the present study was to identify specific microorganisms involved in the growth stimulation of T. denticola. To this end, strains isolated from previous plaque enrichment cultures were tested for growth stimulation in co-cultures with T. denticola. In addition, growth of T. denticola was tested in culture filtrates of the same strains, Bacteroides intermedius, Eubacterium nodatum, Veillonella parvula and Fusobacterium nucleatum were found to enhance growth of T. denticola in co-cultures. A continuous co-culture of T. denticola, F. nucleatum and B. intermedius in human serum gave very high levels of T. denticola, up to 3.109 ml-1. Mechanisms involved in growth stimulation may include the ability of B. intermedius and E. nodatum to cleave the protein-core of serum (glyco-)proteins, making these molecules accessible for degradation by T. denticola. In addition, E. nodatum was found to produce a low-molecular weight growth-factor for T. denticola, that was heat-stable and acid as well as alkaline resistant. V. parvula may provide peptidase activities complementary to those of T. denticola. The nature of the growth enhancing activity of F. nucleatum is yet unknown. The data support the dependency of T. denticola on other bacterial species for growth in the periodontal pocket.

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Author notes

  1. P. F. ter Steeg

    Present address: Department of Microbiology, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN, Haren, NL, The Netherlands

Affiliations

  1. Preventive and Community Dentistry, University of Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, NL, The Netherlands

    P. F. ter Steeg & J. S. van der Hoeven

Authors
  1. P. F. ter Steeg
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  2. J. S. van der Hoeven
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ter Steeg, P.F., van der Hoeven, J.S. Growth stimulation of Treponema denticola by periodontal microorganisms. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 57, 63–70 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403156

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403156

Keywords

  • Bacteroides intermedius
  • Eubacterium nodatum
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum
  • serum
  • Treponema denticola
  • Veillonella parvula