London — June 2, 2026 — A breakthrough study has identified a previously unknown species of bacteria strongly associated with noma, a devastating gangrenous disease of the mouth and face that primarily affects malnourished children in sub-Saharan Africa. The discovery could pave the way for earlier diagnosis, improved treatments, and a deeper understanding of one of the world’s most neglected diseases.
Noma, which kills up to 90% of untreated children, begins as a minor gum infection before rapidly spreading across the face, destroying cheeks, lips, and bone. Survivors are often left with severe disfigurements that impair eating, speaking, and breathing, while also exposing them to lifelong stigma.
Researchers at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) used metagenomic DNA sequencing to analyze saliva samples from children with noma in northwestern Nigeria, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and local clinicians. They found major disruptions in the oral microbiome, with healthy bacteria disappearing and harmful ones proliferating. Among the microbes identified was a new species of Treponema bacteria, detected in most noma patients but absent in healthy individuals.
Dr Richard Goodman, joint lead author of the study, explained: “We found that the composition of bacteria in children with noma is completely disrupted. That imbalance gives us important clues about how the disease starts and progresses.”
While the findings do not yet prove causation, they provide a consistent microbial signature that could be used for early detection. Current diagnosis relies on visible symptoms, often after extensive damage has occurred. Future diagnostic tools could identify children at risk before noma advances, enabling timely treatment with antibiotics, nutritional support, and oral hygiene measures.
The study, published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, also opens the door to more targeted therapies, including microbiome-based approaches such as probiotics to restore beneficial bacteria. As Prof Adam Roberts of LSTM noted, “Equal opportunity for health means tackling diseases like noma that thrive in poverty and neglect. This discovery is a step toward giving children a chance at survival and dignity.”
