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Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
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Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

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Development of the oral resistome during the first decade of life

Smitha Sukumar1, Fang Wang2,3, Carra A Simpson4

  • 1Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. smitha.sukumar@sydney.edu.au.

Nature Communications
|March 9, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The pediatric oral resistome, containing antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), develops with age and may contribute to AMR transmission. ARGs were depleted in dental caries but increased in restored teeth.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global threat driven by antibiotic overuse.
  • Antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) are widespread, necessitating surveillance in understudied reservoirs like the oral microbiome.
  • The pediatric oral microbiome's resistome and its role in dental caries remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the development of the pediatric oral resistome over the first decade of life.
  • To investigate the association between the oral resistome and dental caries.
  • To explore the influence of host genetics on oral ARG carriage.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 530 oral metagenomes from 221 twin children sampled across three time points.
  • Identification and quantification of 309 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs).
  • Statistical analysis to assess age-related clustering, host genetic effects, and associations with dental caries.

Main Results:

  • The pediatric oral resistome is dynamic and clusters significantly by age.
  • Host genetic effects on ARG carriage were detectable from infancy.
  • Mobilization of ARGs, indicated by Tn916 transposase co-localization, increased with age.
  • Dental caries showed a depletion of ARGs and microbial species, which reversed in restored teeth.

Conclusions:

  • The pediatric oral resistome is an inherent, developing component of the oral microbiome.
  • The oral resistome may play a role in the transmission of AMR and oral dysbiosis.
  • Understanding the pediatric oral resistome is crucial for combating AMR and managing oral health.

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