Can the oral microflora affect oral ulcerative mucositis?

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oncology
• Transplantation Science

Background:

• Oral mucositis is a frequent toxicity following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• Chemotherapy and radiotherapy initiate mucositis, with microorganisms implicated in its pathogenesis.
• The precise role of oral microflora in mucositis remains unclear despite advancements in ecosystem analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of current research on the oral microflora and its connection to mucositis.
• To explore the state-of-the-art understanding of microbial involvement in mucositis.
• To synthesize recent findings on the oral microbiome's impact on mucositis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on oral microflora and mucositis.
• Analysis of studies investigating microbial shifts post-chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
• Examination of in-vitro models assessing bacterial impact on wound healing.

Main Results:

• Chemotherapy and radiation induce microflora shifts in both oral and intestinal environments.
• Oral ulcerative mucositis correlates with periodontitis-associated bacteria, notably Porphyromonas gingivalis.
• Porphyromonas gingivalis demonstrated an inhibitory effect on wound healing in in-vitro studies.

Conclusions:

• Disease states, including mucositis, are increasingly associated with microflora dysbiosis.
• The role of microflora in oral and intestinal mucositis is a growing area of research.
• Periodontitis-associated bacteria may influence oral ulcer healing, indicating a complex role in mucositis.