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Age-correlated changes in the canine oral microbiome
Gregory Kislik1, Lin Zhou1, Liudmilla Rubbi1
1Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|July 31, 2024
Summary
The canine oral microbiome changes significantly with age, with older dogs showing a higher risk for oral disease. Specific bacterial species, like Porphyromonas, correlate with canine age.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Genomics
Background:
- Canine oral disease is linked to microbiome shifts, not individual species.
- The relationship between canine age and oral microbiome is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between canine age and oral microbiome composition.
- To identify age-related microbial patterns in dogs.
Main Methods:
- Shotgun whole gene sequencing was used to profile the oral microbiomes of 96 companion dogs.
- The Aladdin Bioinformatics platform and sourmash-zymo database were utilized for taxonomic profiling.
Main Results:
- Significant age correlations were observed for 19 bacterial species, including Porphyromonas.
- Microbiome composition could predict canine age, though less accurately for younger dogs.
- Three distinct microbial clusters, characterized by Porphyromonas, Conchiformibius, and Prevotella, were identified.
Conclusions:
- Canine oral microbiomes exhibit distinct age-related patterns.
- The aging process may increase the risk of canine oral disease, mirroring changes seen in periodontal disease.
