Salivary Microbiome Shifts in Response to Periodontal Treatment Outcome

Periodontitis is linked to a localized dysbiotic microbial shift. This trending may often not be evident due to deep taxonomic changes of low abundance organisms and lack of consideration of variations in the treatment response. By using next generation sequencing this study aims to evaluate the salivary microbiome dynamics of periodontal treatment and the implication of treatment outcome EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis are treated non-surgically and followed up for 6 months. Saliva is collected for microbiome profiling by next generation sequencing and diversity analysis, as well as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The treatment outcome on the first follow-up is also considered.

Clinical parameters are significantly improved following treatment, but with no accompanying relative abundance changes on the phylum, genus and species levels, or diversity indices. Distinctive differences are observed on species level when the sensitive qPCR is used. Patients responding poorly to treatment display a marginally lower microbiome profile distance from baseline, compared to those responding favorably.

Periodontal treatment does not alter the broader salivary microbiome profile, but may have selective implications on the species level. Treatment outcome can be impactful in the microbiome profile, as reduced microbiome changes may be associated with poorer clinical responses.