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Salivary Microbiota Associated with Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy
Maria Piccolo1, Maria De Angelis, Gabriella Lauriero
1Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, via Amendola 165/a, 70126, Bari, Italy.
Microbial Ecology
|March 13, 2015
Summary
Salivary microbiota differs in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients compared to healthy controls. IgAN patients showed decreased anaerobes and a lower Firmicutes/Proteobacteria ratio, indicating potential diagnostic markers.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Nephrology
- Oral Health
Background:
- Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a common glomerular disease.
- The role of the oral microbiome in IgAN pathogenesis is not well understood.
- Salivary microbiota analysis offers a non-invasive approach to study oral microbiome alterations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in salivary microbiota composition between IgAN patients and healthy controls.
- To identify specific bacterial taxa associated with IgAN.
Main Methods:
- Salivary samples were collected from 28 IgAN patients and 14 healthy controls (HC).
- Cultivable bacterial groups were quantified.
- Bacterial community structure was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing.
- Alpha- and beta-diversity metrics were calculated.
Main Results:
- IgAN patients exhibited a significant decrease in total anaerobes compared to HC.
- No significant differences in alpha-diversity were observed between groups.
- The ratio of Firmicutes/Proteobacteria was significantly lower in IgAN patients.
- Specific bacteria like Prevotella species were more abundant in HC, while Pasteurellaceae family members increased in IgAN patients.
Conclusions:
- Salivary microbiota composition is altered in IgAN patients.
- Reduced anaerobes and altered Firmicutes/Proteobacteria ratio may serve as potential biomarkers for IgAN.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the functional role of these microbial shifts in IgAN.
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