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Influential factors of saliva microbiota composition
Philippa M Wells1, Daniel D Sprockett2, Ruth C E Bowyer1
1Department of Twin Research, St Thomas Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.
Scientific Reports
|November 7, 2022
Summary
Frailty and age significantly influence saliva microbiota composition, impacting host health. These factors are key considerations for understanding oral microbiome variations in adults.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Human Physiology
- Genomics
Background:
- The oral microbiota plays a crucial role in host health and disease.
- Factors influencing oral microbiota composition are not well understood, with limited population-based studies.
- Understanding these factors is vital for public health and personalized medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of host health, demographics, and sample processing on saliva microbiota composition.
- To identify key factors associated with variations in oral microbiome diversity and structure.
- To conduct a large-scale, hypothesis-free study on adult twins.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of saliva microbiota in 679 adult twins from the TwinsUK cohort.
- Assessment of factors including frailty, diet, periodontal disease, age, sex, BMI, and sample storage time.
- Multivariate statistical modeling to determine associations with alpha and beta diversity of the oral microbiota.
Main Results:
- Frailty and age were the most significant factors associated with saliva microbiota diversity and composition.
- Increased age correlated with dissimilar saliva microbiota composition.
- Sample storage time also showed an association with beta diversity.
Conclusions:
- Frailty and chronological/biological aging are independent and influential factors in shaping the oral microbiota.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering aging and frailty in oral microbiome research.
- Further research can explore the mechanisms underlying these associations and their clinical implications.
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