Calcium Method of Fusobacteria Management

by Mark J. Manhart DDS, Thomas B. Steg DDS
October 2011

Anaerobic microbes do not require oxygen to survive in the human tissues and are a prodigious lot when it comes to managing their activities and hangouts. One of the most formidable anaerobic pathogens, Fusobacteria, resides most often in the oral cavity, in dental plaque, and is associated with periodontal disease, acute necrotizing gingivitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. [1] Meyerson also found that these indigenous oral microorganisms not only elicit inflammation, but also relish a close association with inflammatory conditions.

Fusobacteria are also parasitic, motile and contribute to several infections beyond periodontal disease including the rare “sore throat” Lemierre Syndrome that results in pus pockets on the tonsils, and topical skin ulcers, reported G. Weinstock. [2] They not only flourish in these tissues, but easily flit about on other cells to similar vacation spots around the body accounting for the spread of their acidic toxins, at times arousing havoc with tumors, polyps, cysts and other harmless masses of tissue. Even a change of environment with local inflammation can establish a predisposition for excessive growth of functionless tissue. S.H. Aliyu, R.K. Marriott, and M.D. Curran [3] found that the oropharanx is rarely invaded by Fusobacterium. But according to A. Park, [4] the lower intestine and rectal areas are susceptible to this parasitic microbe.

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