- Oral Microbiome Library
- Gums
- C. rectus
Campylobacter rectus
Also called the inflammation driver
- Evidence
- Moderate evidenceModerate for gum inflammation · Emerging for pregnancy outcomes
- Class
- Bacterium · Gum pocket · panel code Cr
- Sources
- 4 peer-reviewed sources
Key takeaway
C. rectus is a motile, orange-complex bacterium that rises in gingivitis and periodontitis [1]. It drew wider attention when a maternal-fetal study found that fetal exposure to it was associated with preterm birth [2].
| What it is | A curved, motile, Gram-negative anaerobe related to the food-poisoning campylobacters. |
|---|---|
| Where it lives | Gum pockets, particularly active, inflamed sites. |
| Role in the mouth | Produces a cell-damaging toxin and a surface layer that resists immune clearance [3]. |
| Beyond the mouth | Associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in observational studies [2]. |
| Evidence strength | Moderate evidence. Consistent human associations, with mechanism supported mainly by lab work. |
| How we measure it | Quantitative PCR (qPCR) on your saliva sample, reported as genomic copies per mL against a reference range. Ranges are for context, not diagnostic cut-offs. |
What is Campylobacter rectus?
C. rectus is the mouth’s member of a genus better known for gut infections. It uses a flagellum to swim and sits in the orange complex with P. intermedia and F. nucleatum [4].
In a study comparing health, gingivitis and periodontitis, Campylobacter species were found more often and at higher levels as gum inflammation increased, with C. rectus the most disease-associated [1].
How does C. rectus work?
It carries a surface S-layer that helps it evade immune attack and produces a cytotoxin related to the leukotoxin of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Together these let it persist in inflamed tissue and contribute to the damage [3].
What does the research show?
The human association with gingivitis and periodontitis is consistent across culture and DNA-based studies [3][1].
In the pregnancy work, mothers whose babies showed immune evidence of exposure to C. rectus had higher rates of prematurity, part of a broader body of research linking maternal periodontitis to pregnancy outcomes [2]. These are observational findings; trials treating gum disease in pregnancy have had mixed results, so this remains an association.
What does a result mean?
A detected level is information for your dentist, not a diagnosis of gum disease. Periodontitis is diagnosed by probing, bleeding and bone loss on an exam, and this result is read alongside that.
An elevated level fits with active gum inflammation and is usually read together with P. intermedia and F. nucleatum, its orange-complex partners [4].
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same bug that causes food poisoning?
Same genus, different species. Campylobacter jejuni causes gut infections; C. rectus lives in the mouth [1].
Should I worry about this during pregnancy?
Good gum care matters in pregnancy regardless. The pregnancy-outcome link is observational and not proof that the bacterium causes prematurity [2].
Sources
- Macuch PJ, Tanner AC. Campylobacter species in health, gingivitis, and periodontitis. J Dent Res 2000. DOI: 10.1177/00220345000790021301PMID 10728981
- Madianos PN, Lieff S, Murtha AP, et al.. Maternal periodontitis and prematurity. Part II: Maternal infection and fetal exposure. Ann Periodontol 2001. DOI: 10.1902/annals.2001.6.1.175PMID 11887461
- Rams TE, Feik D, Slots J. Campylobacter rectus in human periodontitis. Oral Microbiol Immunol 1993. DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-302x.1993.tb00565.xPMID 8247610
- Socransky SS, Haffajee AD, Cugini MA, et al.. Microbial complexes in subgingival plaque. J Clin Periodontol 1998. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051x.1998.tb02419.xPMID 9495612
This page is educational and does not constitute medical or dental advice, a diagnosis, or a health claim. The OneOral Bio Test reports the organisms and measurements present in a saliva sample; reference ranges are for context only and are not diagnostic thresholds. A licensed dentist reviews results in the context of your examination and history. Content reviewed by the OneOral Clinical Team; research summaries reflect the cited sources as of Oct 27, 2026.