Causal Associations Between Oral Microbiota and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization...

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Microbiology
• Reproductive Health and Endocrinology
• Oral Health and Systemic Disease

Background:

• Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is linked to poor pregnancy outcomes.
• The oral microbiota's role in GDM is suspected but not causally established.
• Genetic factors influence oral microbiota composition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causal relationship between oral microbiota and GDM risk.
• To identify specific oral bacterial genera associated with GDM.
• To leverage Mendelian randomization for causal inference.

Main Methods:

• Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using GWAS data.
• Instrumental variables (SNPs) for oral microbiota abundance.
• Inverse variance weighting (IVW) and sensitivity analyses for robustness.

Main Results:

• Causal link found between genus Schaalia and increased GDM risk (OR=1.03).
• Causal link identified between genus Haemophilus and decreased GDM risk (OR=0.96).
• Sensitivity analyses confirmed findings, ruling out pleiotropy and heterogeneity.

Conclusions:

• Oral microbiota genera Schaalia and Haemophilus have a causal association with GDM risk.
• Oral bacteria may play a role in GDM pathogenesis.
• These findings suggest potential targets for GDM prevention and treatment.