Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Fusobacterium (F.) nucleatum, a Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium, has been implicated in both periodontal disease and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This review aims to evaluate the levels of F. nucleatum in patients with periodontal disease and OSCC, exploring its potential role in the pathogenesis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, identifying studies that measured F. nucleatum levels in periodontal disease and OSCC tissues. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of F. nucleatum exists in both periodontal disease and OSCC tissues compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION: It appears that there is a link between infection with F. nucleatum and the development of these oral diseases. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association and to explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting F. nucleatum.