Patterns of subgingival microbiota in different periodontal phenotypes

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Periodontology

Background:

• Periodontitis, a common oral disease, involves complex microbial communities.
• Understanding the subgingival microbiota in different periodontitis types is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
• Host genetics may influence the oral microbiome and susceptibility to periodontitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the subgingival microbiota of aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and chronic periodontitis (CP) patients with healthy controls (H).
• To investigate potential associations between host genetic variants (IL6, IL6R, FTO) and subgingival microbial composition.

Main Methods:

• Next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used for subgingival plaque analysis.
• Clinical data and blood samples were collected from 471 participants (125 AgP, 121 CP, 225 H).
• Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL6, IL6R, and FTO genes were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Periodontitis patients (AgP + CP), especially AgP, showed lower alpha- and beta-diversity.
• Specific bacterial genera were over-abundant in periodontitis compared to healthy individuals.
• No significant associations were found between the studied genetic variants and microbial findings.

Conclusions:

• Limited microbial differences exist between AgP and CP.
• The study challenges the notion that periodontitis is characterized by increased subgingival microbial diversity.
• Dysbiosis in periodontal disease may not solely be expressed as increased microbial diversity.