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Characteristics
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Porphyromonas gingivalis is an anaerobic, Gram-negative bacterium that can be found within the mouth of an individual. This bacterium is the principal source of periodontal disease. It has been found that in addition to causing human infections, this bacterium also causes much of the antibiotic resistance problems found today. The way which it operates is very unique, since it is a Gram-negative bacteria, it can attach to the subgingival coating of the tooth, and it will substitute the Gram-positive bacteria that is originally there with its own thus causing an inflammation which will disengage the gums from the teeth. The bacteria, P. gingivalis, in addition to others causes gingivitis as well as periodontis. Gingivitis is "A disorder involving inflammation of the gums, may affect surrounding and supporting structures of the teeth." Periodontis is "inflammatory reaction of the tissues surrounding a tooth (periodontium), usually resulting from the extension of gingival inflammation into the periodontium." When a gathering of Gram-negative, anaerobic bacteria is observed on the gums, it develops a biofilm called plaque on the tooth [1-2].Thus P. gingivalis expresses proteolytic enzymes which regulate the protein function in the body. These enzymes are usually utilized for Cysteine and Arginine metabolism. However, here they affect the link between the tooth and the bone, thus ultimately separating the two from one another, which causes the taking apart of the tooth from jaw [3]. In the last few years it is intensively investigate the role of P. gingivalis in atherosclerosis development and in promoting or inflicting different cancers
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