Salivary microbiome in children with Down syndrome: a case-control study

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genetics
• Pediatric Dentistry

Background:

• Down syndrome (DS) is linked to oral health issues.
• Limited research exists on the oral microbiome in DS individuals.
• Understanding the oral microbiome in DS is crucial for managing oral health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the salivary microbiome in children with Down syndrome.
• To identify potential microbial markers associated with DS.
• To compare the oral microbiome of children with and without DS.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 27 children with DS and 27 healthy controls (aged 1-13 years).
• Saliva samples analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 16S next-generation sequencing.
• Statistical analysis included t-tests, Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and PERMANOVA.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in overall cariogenic/periodontopathic bacteria, except for higher Candida albicans in DS children with mixed dentition.
• No significant difference in alpha diversity of the salivary microbiome.
• Significant difference in beta diversity, with higher relative abundance of Corynebacterium and Cardiobacterium, and lower TM7 in the DS group.

Conclusions:

• This study provides foundational data on the salivary microbiome in children with DS.
• Identified specific microbiological markers associated with Down syndrome.
• Further research is needed to correlate these findings with oral disease development in DS.