Title:Analysis of Oral and Gut Microbiota Composition in Children with Dental Caries by NGS Approaches
Volume: 19
Issue: 3
Author(s): Stefano Cianetti, Silvia Marchianò, Dhanushka Frank Wijeratne, Adriana Carino, Michele Biagioli, Martina Bordoni, Rosalinda Roselli, Cristina Di Giorgio, Rachele Bellini, Chiara Valenti, Maddalena Coniglio, Giuseppe Lomurno, Anna Palma Lomurno and Stefano Pagano*
Affiliation:
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Unit of Paediatric Dentistry, Perugia, Italy
Keywords:
Paediatric dentistry, microbial ecology, molecular biology, next generation sequencing, probiotics, oral health.
Abstract:
Objectives: This study aimed to characterize oral and gut microbiota of children with
high dmft index and caries-free children at phylum, family and species levels as well as to evaluate
the effect of Streptococcus salivarius M18 DSM 14685 (Carioblis) administration on microbiota
composition of caries active children.
Materials and Methods: Ten children with active caries and nine caries-free children have been recruited.
Four samples from different oral niches and stools were collected from each patient for
the NGS sequencing of 16s Microbiota rDNA by S5 Ion Torrent.
Results: Our results revealed modifications in the microbiota composition of teeth, saliva and
vestibular regions of the oral cavity and faecal samples in the presence of dental caries. These
changes were evident at the family and species levels, with no significant differences found at the
phylum composition level. In particular, Streptococcaceae were positively correlated to the high
degree of caries in all niches, and the analysis at the species level led to the identification of 39
bacterial species significantly modulated in the analyzed groups. The use of probiotic seemed to
exert beneficial effects on oral but not on faeces dysbiosis. The intestinal tract was confirmed to
have a different microbiota composition compared to the oral cavity.
Conclusion: Dental caries mainly lead to modifications in the oral microbiota composition. Streptococcus
salivarius M18 DSM 14685 administration determines a shift in the oral microbiota composition
towards a healthier state. Concerning the gastrointestinal tract, our study found for the
first time that caries cause the increase of two bacterial species, related to other disorders: Bifidobacterium
adolescentis and Ruminococcus torques.
