Filifactor alocis: An emerging pathogen in periodontitis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24265/kiru.2026.v23n3.06Keywords:
Bacteria; Virulence Factors; Diagnosis; Periodontitis; TreatmentAbstract
Filifactor alocis is an emerging Gram-positive rod closely associated with periodontitis. Its presence in periodontal lesions promotes coaggregation with red complex bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. Furthermore, it possesses various virulence factors—notably oxidative stress resistance, cellular adhesion and invasion, and the production of enzymes and toxins—which confer high aggressiveness to this microorganism within the gingival sulcus. Clinically, F. alocis is frequently identified in the periodontal pockets of patients with periodontitis and peri-implantitis, whereas it remains undetected in healthy tissues; for this reason, it has been proposed as a biomarker for periodontal disease. Due to its fastidious nutritional requirements, isolation via traditional microbiological culture is complex; thus, molecular techniques constitute the standard diagnostic method. This review describes these aspects, along with other relevant factors, to further elucidate the biological and pathogenic characteristics of this microorganism.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Donald Ramos Perfecto , Jorge Eladio Pascual Ñaupay , Víctor Narciso Lévano Torres
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