The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies

This review examines the classification, distribution, and detection methods of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies, focusing on their distinct roles in health and disease. The evolution of F. nucleatum classification is traced from early to modern protein-based and genomic methods, such as 16S rRNA...

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Main Authors: Marietta Wolf, Thorsten Steinberg, Konstantin Johannes Scholz, Anne Kruse, Sama Rezasoltani, Georg Conrads, Ali Al-Ahmad, Fabian Cieplik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Current Research in Microbial Sciences
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517425000768
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author Marietta Wolf
Thorsten Steinberg
Konstantin Johannes Scholz
Anne Kruse
Sama Rezasoltani
Georg Conrads
Ali Al-Ahmad
Fabian Cieplik
author_facet Marietta Wolf
Thorsten Steinberg
Konstantin Johannes Scholz
Anne Kruse
Sama Rezasoltani
Georg Conrads
Ali Al-Ahmad
Fabian Cieplik
author_sort Marietta Wolf
collection DOAJ
description This review examines the classification, distribution, and detection methods of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies, focusing on their distinct roles in health and disease. The evolution of F. nucleatum classification is traced from early to modern protein-based and genomic methods, such as 16S rRNA and next generation sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The review highlights the importance of distinguishing F. nucleatum subspecies due to their varying pathogenic potentials and ecological niches in both oral and extraoral environments. Different subspecies exhibit distinct prevalence and activity levels in specific clinical conditions, such as periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This highlights the importance of accurately identifying subspecies to understand their role in disease progression. Moreover, understanding the varying pathogenic potential of F. nucleatum subspecies, which is driven by genetic diversity and virulence factors, is also essential for advancing research and improving patient outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-0a3fe3f427434f71a8b21305f004e8db2025-08-20T03:11:26ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Microbial Sciences2666-51742025-01-01910041410.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100414The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspeciesMarietta Wolf0Thorsten Steinberg1Konstantin Johannes Scholz2Anne Kruse3Sama Rezasoltani4Georg Conrads5Ali Al-Ahmad6Fabian Cieplik7Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center of Dental Medicine, Medical Center & Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Germany; Corresponding author at: Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center of Dental Medicine, Medical Center & Medical Faculty – University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg i. Br., Germany.Division of Oral Biotechnology, Center of Dental Medicine, Medical Center & Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, GermanyDepartment of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center of Dental Medicine, Medical Center & Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, GermanyDepartment of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center of Dental Medicine, Medical Center & Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, GermanyDivision of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) University Hospital, GermanyDivision of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Operative Dentistry, Periodontology and Preventive Dentistry, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH) University Hospital, GermanyDepartment of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center of Dental Medicine, Medical Center & Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, GermanyDepartment of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Center of Dental Medicine, Medical Center & Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, GermanyThis review examines the classification, distribution, and detection methods of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies, focusing on their distinct roles in health and disease. The evolution of F. nucleatum classification is traced from early to modern protein-based and genomic methods, such as 16S rRNA and next generation sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The review highlights the importance of distinguishing F. nucleatum subspecies due to their varying pathogenic potentials and ecological niches in both oral and extraoral environments. Different subspecies exhibit distinct prevalence and activity levels in specific clinical conditions, such as periodontitis and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This highlights the importance of accurately identifying subspecies to understand their role in disease progression. Moreover, understanding the varying pathogenic potential of F. nucleatum subspecies, which is driven by genetic diversity and virulence factors, is also essential for advancing research and improving patient outcomes.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517425000768F. nucleatum subspeciesOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)Colorectal cancer (CRC)Detection methodsF. nucleatum classification
spellingShingle Marietta Wolf
Thorsten Steinberg
Konstantin Johannes Scholz
Anne Kruse
Sama Rezasoltani
Georg Conrads
Ali Al-Ahmad
Fabian Cieplik
The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies
Current Research in Microbial Sciences
F. nucleatum subspecies
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
Colorectal cancer (CRC)
Detection methods
F. nucleatum classification
title The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies
title_full The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies
title_fullStr The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies
title_full_unstemmed The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies
title_short The rise and evolving role of Fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies
title_sort rise and evolving role of fusobacterium nucleatum subspecies
topic F. nucleatum subspecies
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)
Colorectal cancer (CRC)
Detection methods
F. nucleatum classification
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517425000768
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