Revealing oral microbiota composition and functionality associated with heavy cigarette smoking

Area of Science:

• Microbiome Research
• Oral Health
• Tobacco Use Impact

Background:

• Heavy tobacco smoking is prevalent in Middle Eastern populations and linked to lung cancer.
• The relationship between nicotine dependence and oral microbiota function in these populations is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the oral microbiota composition and functional capabilities in relation to cigarette smoking.
• To explore differences based on nicotine dependence levels in Middle Eastern adults.

Main Methods:

• Shotgun metagenomics analysis of buccal swabs from 105 adult smokers and non-smokers.
• Evaluation of oral microbiota composition and functional profiles.
• Assessment of nicotine dependence using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence.

Main Results:

• Oral microbiota dominated by Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes.
• Smokers showed increased abundance of Veillonella dispar, Leptotrichia spp., and Prevotella pleuritidis.
• High nicotine dependence correlated with increased Streptobacillus hongkongensis, Fusobacterium massiliense, and Prevotella bivia, alongside altered metabolic pathways like Tricarballylate utilization and Lactate racemization.

Conclusions:

• Compositional and functional oral microbiota differences exist between smokers and non-smokers.
• Findings suggest potential links between oral microbiota variations, respiratory illnesses, and smoking relapse.
• Enrichment of Fusobacterium and Prevotella may indicate a connection to gut and lung cancers.