Scardovia wiggsiae: A key cariopathogen

• Author Details:   
• Sayem Anwarhussain Mulla
• Laresh Mistry
• Shamika Kamath
• Shantanu Deshpande
• Sumeet Agarwal
• Saba Anwar Kondkari
• Narayan Kamath ^*

Dental caries (DC), a terminology used to describe a complex illness spawned by several factors which involves the deterioration of the hard tissues of the oral cavity i.e. the teeth due to the presence of various bacteria. Several bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces, and Lactobacilli species, have been shown to have a role in the development of DC. Scardovia wiggsiae (S. wiggsiae), a novel cariopathogen, has been discovered in children suffering from early childhood caries (ECC), even in conditions where commonly found cariopathogens are not present. This new bacterium is a member of the Bifidobacteriaceae family and is often present in the human oral cavity. The aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive exploration of the microbiology of S. wiggsiae and its connection to dental caries. The discussion will include the characteristics of this novel species, including its interactions with other microorganisms, its ability to tolerate acidic conditions, and its potential to cause tooth decay. This may have an impact on future research and development of novel diagnostic tools and treatment methods targeted at controlling this recently identified microorganism.

Keywords: Bifidobacteriaceae, Cariopathogen, Early childhood caries, Dental caries, Scardovia wiggsiae.