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Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
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Maternal Oral Health Influences Infant Salivary Microbiome
K Ramadugu1, D Bhaumik1, T Luo1
1School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Journal of Dental Research
|August 30, 2020
Summary
Maternal transmission of oral bacteria to infants is limited. Infant oral microbiomes develop independently, influenced by factors like diet and social contact rather than solely maternal transfer.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Oral microbiome development begins early in life.
- Cariogenic bacteria in infants pose a significant concern for dental health.
- Understanding maternal-infant microbial transmission is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize early salivary microbiome development in infants.
- To investigate associations between infant microbiome development and delivery mode, breastfeeding, and maternal oral health.
- To evaluate the transmission of specific oral microbes from mothers to their children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of saliva and metadata from a mother-infant cohort.
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing to profile oral microbiomes.
- Quantitative PCR to detect specific bacterial species (Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sobrinus, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis) and Candida albicans.
Main Results:
- Breastfed infants showed lower abundances of Prevotella and Veillonella.
- Infant oral microbiome composition was linked to maternal dental health (decayed, missing, or filled teeth).
- Little evidence supported direct maternal transmission of selected oral microbes; infant microbiomes resembled peers more than mothers by 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Infant oral microbiome development is influenced by multiple factors, not primarily maternal transmission.
- Tooth emergence and environmental exposures (diet, social contact) play significant roles in microbial colonization.
- Early life oral microbiome composition is complex and multifactorial, impacting cariogenic potential.
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