A previously unknown species of bacteria found in patients with noma could be key to creating treatments for the neglected tropical disease
- Video
29 April 2026
In a new study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, a research team from LSTM, working with partners at the University of Liverpool, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Noma Children’s Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria, used metagenomic sequencing and machine learning algorithms to analyse saliva samples from children with acute noma. They uncovered a previously undescribed species of Treponema bacteria, which may be responsible for the disease.
Noma is a rapidly progressing infection that begins as gingivitis and inflammation of the gums but goes on to destroy the tissues of the mouth and face. It primarily affects young children living in extreme poverty. Without treatment, it is fatal in up to 90% of cases, while survivors are left with severe disfigurement and lifelong complications.
Despite being formally classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization in 2023, the underlying cause of noma has remained poorly understood.
Noma is one of the world’s most devastating diseases. It starts as simple gum inflammation, but it rapidly progresses to destroy the tissues of the face. It mainly affects young children living in extreme poverty and without treatment, up to 90% can die. Even survivors face severe disfigurement, and this leads to lifelong complications and stigma. Noma gained recognition by the World Health Organization in 2023 as a neglected tropical disease, but we’ve long lacked a clear understanding of what actually causes noma, and this has held back progress in both diagnosis and treatment.
By analysing oral microbiome samples of children with noma, using a method called metagenomic sequencing. We could profile all the microbial DNA in clinical samples. It allowed us to identify previously unknown species of treponema bacteria strongly linked to noma. We used this new information to look back at older studies of noma and found that this bacteria is present in the early stages of the disease, suggesting it may help trigger its progression. Crucially, there are also no signs of antibiotic resistance, meaning existing treatments could work if the disease is caught early. This discovery opens the door to new diagnostic tools and early intervention. 
