title: Fusobacterium nucleatum: a commensal-turned pathogen.
abstract: Fusobacterium nucleatum is an anaerobic oral commensal and a periodontal pathogen associated with a wide spectrum of human diseases. This article reviews its implication in adverse pregnancy outcomes (chorioamnionitis, preterm birth, stillbirth, neonatal sepsis, preeclampsia), GI disorders (colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, appendicitis), cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory tract infections, Lemierre's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. The virulence mechanisms involved in the diseases are discussed, with emphasis on its colonization, systemic dissemination, and induction of host inflammatory and tumorigenic responses. The FadA adhesin/invasin conserved in F. nucleatum is a key virulence factor and a potential diagnostic marker for F. nucleatum-associated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Division of Periodontics, Section of Oral Diagnostics & Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, United States; Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, United States; Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, United States. Electronic address: Ywh2102@columbia.edu.
authors.forename: Yiping W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D005260:Female; D005674:Fusobacterium Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D016967:Fusobacterium nucleatum / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D014774:Virulence; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037521:Virulence Factors