title: What can we learn from the microbial ecological interactions associated with polymicrobial diseases?
abstract: Periodontal diseases in humans and animals are model polymicrobial diseases which are associated with a shift in the microbial community structure and function; there is therefore a need to investigate these diseases from a microbial ecological perspective. This review highlights three important areas of microbial ecological investigation of polymicrobial diseases and the lessons that could be learnt: (1) identification of disease-associated microbes and the implications for choice of anti-infective treatment; (2) the implications associated with vaccine design and development and (3) application of the dynamics of microbial interaction in the discovery of novel anti-infective agents. This review emphasises the need to invigorate microbial ecological approaches to the study of periodontal diseases and other polymicrobial diseases for greater understanding of the ecological interactions between and within the biotic and abiotic factors of the environment.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park 5042, Australia; School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia. Electronic address: john.antiabong@flinders.edu.au.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Antiabong
authors.affiliation: Zoos SA, Monarto Zoo, Princes Hwy, Monarto, SA 5254, Australia; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Boardman
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park 5042, Australia; School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ball
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004463:Ecology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D056265:Microbial Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents
keywords: Anti-infective; Microbial ecology; Molecular tools; Periodontal disease; Polymicrobial disease; Vaccine