Article Type
Article
Abstract
Fusobacterium nucleatum is one of the key bacteria in the oral microbiota, which plays a key role in the structural integrity of dental plaque, an anaerobic bacterium. Emerging clinical evidence has increasingly linked this opportunistic pathogen to severe systemic pathologies, notably colorectal cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review synthesizes current genomic and molecular insights to elucidate the complex mechanisms driving fusobacterial virulence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We critically discuss the roles of key adhesins, such as FadA and Fap2, in modulating host cell signaling and facilitating immune evasion. Furthermore, we determine the genomic architecture involved in the transfer of resistance genes horizontally and the subsequent rise of resistance. Against first-line anaerobe-targeted antibiotics. Crucially, this review bridges the existing knowledge gap regarding the transition from oral commensalism to systemic virulence by integrating recent multi-omics data. Understanding the molecular landscape of F. nucleatum is imperative for developing targeted therapeutic innovations. The integration of diagnostic genomics into clinical practice offers a promising pathway for early detection and personalized management of both oral and systemic infections.
Keywords
Fusobacterium nucleatum, Virulence factors, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Genomic profiling, Oral-systemic link, Multi-omics
Recommended Citation
Mones, Mawahb Hatem; Al-Joubori, Thariat Abdualrahman; and Ibrahim, Ibrahim Faisal
(2026)
"Molecular Pathogenesis and Genomic Profiling of Fusobacterium nucleatum: A Review of Virulence Determinants & Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms in Dental and Systemic Infections,"
Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13:
Iss.
3, Article 9.
Available at:
https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss3/9
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
