AUTHOR=Könönen Eija , Gursoy Ulvi K. 

TITLE=Oral Prevotella Species and Their Connection to Events of Clinical Relevance in Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Tracts

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.798763

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2021.798763

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Prevotella</italic> is recognized as one of the core anaerobic genera in the oral microbiome. In addition, members of this genus belong to microbial communities of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Several novel <italic>Prevotella</italic> species, most of them of oral origin, have been described, but limited knowledge is still available of their clinical relevance. <italic>Prevotella melaninogenica</italic> is among the anaerobic commensals on oral mucosae from early months of life onward, and other early colonizing <italic>Prevotella</italic> species in the oral cavity include <italic>Prevotella nigrescens</italic> and <italic>Prevotella pallens</italic>. Oral <italic>Prevotella</italic> species get constant access to the gastrointestinal tract via saliva swallowing and to lower airways via microaspiration. At these extra-oral sites, they play a role as commensals but also as potentially harmful agents on mucosal surfaces. The aim of this narrative review is to give an updated overview on the involvement of oral <italic>Prevotella</italic> species in gastrointestinal and respiratory health and disease.</p>