Saliva assay: a call for methodological standardization

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Genomics
• Oral Health

Background:

• The oral cavity harbors diverse microorganisms, forming the oral microbiome.
• The oral microbiome is increasingly recognized for its role in oral and systemic diseases.
• Saliva analysis offers a non-invasive method for studying the oral microbiome and individual health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current research on oral microbiome analysis using saliva.
• To evaluate existing methodologies for oral microbiome specimen collection and analysis.
• To propose a standardized saliva assay for improved research reliability.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of SCI(E) journal articles published after January 1, 2000.
• Searches conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases.
• Selection of 53 articles based on full-text assessment by three researchers.

Main Results:

• Most studies utilized unstimulated saliva for oral microbiome analysis.
• Twenty-nine studies found associations between the oral microbiome and diseases like oral cancer and Behçet disease.
• Significant methodological diversity in sample collection and analysis was observed across studies.

Conclusions:

• Diverse methods in oral microbiome research compromise findings' reliability and accuracy.
• A standardized saliva assay is crucial for consistent and dependable oral microbiome analysis.
• Standardization will enhance understanding of the oral microbiome's role in health and disease.