Advances in Dental Research, Vol 3, 58-68, Copyright © 1989 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
The specific pathogen-free human: a new frontier in oral infectious disease research
M. A. Taubman, R. J. Genco and J. D. Hillman
The indigenous flora acts as a deterrent to the establishment of some
pathogenic species. We propose that advances in oral health research will
lead to control of oral infections by altering the indigenous microflora to
create a specific pathogen-free human. Investigations of important
endogenous and exogenous factors which affect the oral flora and the
interactions among these parameters, in health and disease, will have to be
undertaken for this goal to be achieved. Several approaches to produce a
specific pathogen-free human include: (1) introduction of individual or
collective moieties which inhibit detrimental interactions on a genetic and
molecular level; (2) genetic modification of salivary flow and protein
composition by use of transgenic techniques; (3) therapeutic replacement
with altered bacterial strains; (4) alteration of host immune responses to
produce specific isotype immunity at the most appropriate time in the
ontogeny of the oral environment; (5) production of isotype and/or
antigen-specific regulatory molecules at the most appropriate time in
development; (6) use of synthetic vaccines; (7) genetic alteration or
replacement of cells with defective protective capabilities; and (8) use of
anti-idiotype vaccines.
