Microbial Mechanisms and Host Interactions in Oral Diseases: Implications for Pathogenesis, Prevention, and Novel Therapeutics

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2025) | Viewed by 668

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancers, continue to pose a significant global health challenge. These conditions arise from a multifaceted interaction of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and microbial factors, with poor oral hygiene and lifestyle practices playing pivotal roles.

This review delves into the etiology and pathogenesis of prevalent oral diseases, emphasizing the role of microbial biofilms, host immune responses, and their systemic health implications. It also explores advancements in diagnostic technologies, such as molecular assays and advanced imaging techniques, that have enhanced early detection and disease monitoring.

Preventive strategies, including the use of fluoride, dietary modifications, and large-scale public health initiatives, are critically evaluated. Additionally, the review highlights innovative therapeutic approaches—ranging from probiotics and nanotechnology to regenerative medicine—that hold promise for transforming oral healthcare practices.

A holistic understanding of oral diseases is imperative for developing effective prevention strategies, improving early detection, and achieving better treatment outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Shankargouda B. Patil
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • oral diseases
  • dental caries
  • periodontal disease
  • microbial biofilms
  • innovative therapeutics

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 1813 KB  
Article
First Description of Oral Microbiota in Domestic Cats Affected by Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Jamie G. Anderson, Elisa Scarsella, Maria Soltero-Rivera, Stephanie Goldschmidt, Connie A. Rojas and Holly H. Ganz
Pathogens 2026, 15(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15020207 - 12 Feb 2026
Viewed by 281
Abstract
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for the majority of feline oral neoplasms and carries a poor prognosis; however, the oral microbiome in affected cats remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to preliminarily describe the oral bacterial communities of cats with OSCC and [...] Read more.
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for the majority of feline oral neoplasms and carries a poor prognosis; however, the oral microbiome in affected cats remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to preliminarily describe the oral bacterial communities of cats with OSCC and compare them with those of clinically healthy cats using DNA amplicon sequencing. Oral swabs were collected from cats with OSCC, including tumor surfaces, tumor cut surfaces, and clinically normal mucosa distant from the tumor (n = 20 total samples), and from the gingival margin of healthy cats (n = 12). DNA was extracted and full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to assess microbial composition and diversity. Cats with OSCC exhibited significant alterations in oral microbiota compared with healthy controls, including reduced alpha diversity, distinct beta-diversity clustering, and consistent taxonomic shifts. Healthy cats displayed a relatively conserved core microbiome dominated by Porphyromonas spp., Bacteroides, Pasteurellaceae, Helcococcus, and Moraxella. In contrast, OSCC-associated samples showed increased relative abundances of anaerobic and disease-associated taxa, including Filifactor villosus, Bacteroides pyogenes, Odoribacter denticanis, Porphyromonas circumdentaria, and members of the Pasteurellaceae. These findings provide the first description of the oral microbiota associated with feline OSCC and demonstrate exploratory microbial differences between health and disease. Full article
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