Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Common gum disease bacteria found in dogs' mouths by PCR testing
By Ito, Noriyuki et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary dentistry·2025·Kitasato University, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Quantification of Periodontal Pathogenic Bacteria (,,, and) in Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that many dogs, both young and old, have harmful bacteria in their mouths that can lead to gum disease. In a group of 230 dogs, four types of bacteria were commonly detected, especially in those with poor dental hygiene and gingivitis (gum inflammation). The presence of these bacteria was linked to factors like age and the amount of dental plaque. This suggests that regular dental care is important for preventing periodontal disease in dogs. Pet owners should be aware that some of these bacteria can also affect humans, so maintaining good oral hygiene for pets is crucial.
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Abstract
The present study investigated the molecular presence of 4 species of pathogenic periodontal bacteria (,,, and) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 230 household dogs with or without gingivitis, dental plaque and/or calculus. Overall,was most frequently present (77.8%), followed by(50.9%),(38.7%), and(34.8%). A higher percentage of these bacteria was associated with factors such as age, grade of gingivitis, and an increase in dental plaque and/or calculus that indicated poor oral cleanliness. Even without a direct relation to gingivitis and plaque and/or calculus, these 4 species were consistently found not only in older dogs but also in younger ones. The results suggest that these bacteria are commonly present in household dogs, which puts them at risk of developing periodontal disease. Considering that 3 species of bacteria, excludinghave zoonotic potential, it emphasizes the need for caution to prevent transmission between dogs and humans. Regarding overall bacterial DNA copy numbers, there was a wide range, withhaving the most, followed by,, and finally,. The copy numbers did not always correlate with prevalence. The DNA copy numbers ofwere significantly lower in cases of higher-grade gingivitis and when there was poor oral cleanliness. These findings highlight the complexity of the interplay between bacterial type, prevalence, DNA copy numbers, and the oral health of household dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40080860/