title: The oral cavity as a source of potential pathogens in focal infection.
abstract: The various microbial species present in different areas of the oral cavity are described. A few streptococcal species, whose only known habitat is the mouth, have been associated with subacute bacterial endocarditis, and it would therefore seem that the oral cavity can serve as a reservoir for at least one type of focal infection. However, the role of oral bacteria in other types of focal infection is obscure.
mesh_terms: D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D004463:Ecology; D004698:Endocarditis, Subacute Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology; D005490:Focal Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D009055:Mouth / Q000382:microbiology*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification