Image by Chokniti Khongchum on PEXELSA new pilot study and PHD research from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has revealed important insights into the bacterial communities linked to periodontitis, a severe form of gum disease affecting nearly one in four adults in Africa. (WHO Global oral health status report)
The novel study by recent UWC graduate, Dr Salma Kabbashi, focused on identifying the types of bacteria found in the deepest gum pockets of patients with periodontitis compared to those with healthy gums. Using advanced DNA sequencing techniques, Kabbashi discovered that people with gum disease had significantly different bacterial profiles, with higher levels of harmful bacteria such as Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas and Treponema.
In contrast, healthy individuals had more beneficial bacteria like Streptococcus and Veillonella, which are typically associated with good oral health.
Dr Salma Kabbashi graduated with her PhD at UWC in 2024 and continues with novel research relating to periodontitis. Image suppliedFusobacterium stood out as particularly influential, appearing in both groups but in significantly higher amounts in those with more severe disease. This bacterium is believed to support the growth of other harmful microbes, making it instrumental in the progression of gum disease.
Kabbashi said that understanding these microbial differences is key to improving diagnosis and treatment: “Our findings show that the bacterial makeup of the mouth can vary widely between individuals and disease stages. This opens the door to more personalised approaches to treating gum disease.”
Periodontitis is not just a dental issue but is linked to broader health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. This research is part of UWC’s research and innovation in advancing public health through impactful science.
What makes Dr Kabbashi’s research particularly novel is its dual focus on the microbial and genetic factors contributing to periodontitis, studied specifically within a South African population. While periodontitis is a global health issue, African populations have been largely left out of international research, meaning most current knowledge is based on data from non-African cohorts. This limits the relevance of existing findings for African patients and healthcare systems.
Using advanced 16S rRNA sequencing, her study identified key differences in the bacterial communities between healthy individuals and those with gum disease. “Every mouth has bacteria, but in people with periodontitis, we found that harmful microbes dominate and disrupt the natural balance,” she explained.
Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease, and in 2019, 22.8% of people aged 15 years and older in the African Region were affected by severe periodontal disease. Dr Kabbashi explained: “Bacteria is found in all our mouths. When there is an imbalance, it might result in gingivitis, which is the bleeding and inflammation of the gums.
Periodontitis is actually the next level; it’s the irreversible destruction of the bone and tissue around the teeth. It is not curable, only manageable, which is why it’s crucial to identify it as early as possible.”
The World Health Organisation’s Global oral health status report also indicates that in Africa, periodontitis peaks around 55 years of age and remains high into older age.
In addition to mapping the microbiome, Dr Kabbashi’s study also explored how specific genetic variations, or polymorphisms, may influence a person’s susceptibility to periodontitis. Given Africa’s unmatched genetic diversity, studying these associations locally is critical for understanding how gene–environment interactions may differ from those in other parts of the world. This combined approach helps uncover how host–microbe interactions vary from one individual to another, and even from one population to another.
Kabbashi’s work highlights the need for more population-specific research, By focusing on South African patients, the research provides a more accurate picture of local oral health challenges and lays the groundwork for future studies.
She said: “The findings emphasise the need for larger, population-based cohorts to validate these results and lay a foundation for future research into region-specific microbial profiles and their implications for personalised treatment strategies.”
Together, these insights lay the groundwork for personalised oral healthcare, where a person’s genes and oral bacteria could inform how gum disease is diagnosed, monitored and treated. The research also opens the door to developing affordable, point-of-care diagnostic tools tailored to local populations, allowing for earlier detection and more effective management of gum disease across Africa.
