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The oral microbiota of children undergoing liver transplantation
E C Sheehy1, D Beighton, G J Roberts
1Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, Guy's, King's & St. Thomas' Dental Institute, 22nd Floor, Guy's Tower, Guy's Hospital, London Bridge, London, SE1 9RT, United Kingdom.
Insights
Liver transplant patients show temporary oral microbiota shifts. While some beneficial bacteria decrease post-surgery, the oral microbiome generally recovers within 100 days, though yeast levels remain elevated compared to healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Transplantation Science
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Liver transplantation is a critical procedure for end-stage liver disease.
- The oral microbiota plays a role in overall health and immune function.
- Understanding post-transplant changes in oral flora is crucial for patient recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in the oral microbiota of pediatric liver transplant recipients.
- To compare the oral microbial composition of transplant patients with healthy controls.
- To track changes in specific bacterial and fungal populations over time post-transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Oral swabs collected from 27 pediatric liver transplant patients pre- and post-transplant (3 and 100 days).
- Comparison with 27 healthy pediatric controls at baseline and 90 days.
- Enumeration and identification of key microbial groups including Viridans streptococci, yeasts, staphylococci, enterococci, and Enterobacteriaceae using conventional techniques.
Main Results:
- Significant, temporary shifts in oral microbiota observed in patients immediately post-transplantation.
- Specific beneficial bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus salivarius, sanguis, gordonii) decreased significantly at 3 days post-transplant.
- Elevated isolation frequencies and numbers of yeasts were noted in patients compared to controls.
- Oral microbiota largely returned to baseline levels by 100 days post-transplantation.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric liver transplant recipients experience transient dysbiosis of the oral microbiota.
- The oral microbiome demonstrates resilience, with recovery observed by 100 days post-transplant.
- Persistent increase in oral yeasts post-transplantation warrants further investigation and potential management strategies.
Abstract:
This study investigated the oral microbiota of children undergoing liver transplantation. Oral swabs were taken using a standardized procedure from 27 children before liver transplantation and at 3 and 100 days post-transplantation and from 27 healthy controls at baseline and 90 days. Viridans streptococci, yeasts, staphylococci, enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated and identified using conventional techniques. The oral microbiota of the patients changed significantly immediately post-transplantation, but by the final examination, it had returned to baseline levels. The oral microbiota of the controls did not change significantly. The numbers and proportions of Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus gordonii as percentages of the total streptococcal counts and of the total anaerobic counts decreased significantly 3 days post-transplantation (P < or = 0.006). There were no significant changes in the numbers and proportions of Streptococcus oralis and Streptococcus mitis isolated pre- and post-transplantation. The isolation frequencies and numbers of yeasts were significantly higher in patients than controls. Staphylococci were isolated in low numbers from all children. Enterococci and Enterobacteriaceae were isolated infrequently from patients.