Microbial Diversity and Composition Uncovered on Obturator Prosthesis Biofilms: Exploratory Findings from a Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Maxillofacial prosthetics
• Metagenomics

Background:

• Microbial communities on obturator prosthesis biofilms remain unexplored.
• Understanding these biofilms is crucial for patients undergoing maxillofacial surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the eukaryotic, prokaryotic, and viral communities in obturator prosthesis biofilms using metagenomics.
• To identify potential health and disease implications of these microbial communities.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving three patients with obturator prostheses.
• Biofilm samples were collected, and total genomic DNA was extracted.
• Metagenomic analysis was performed to identify microbial species and functional pathways.

Main Results:

• Exceptionally abundant microbial diversity was found, with 2616–3024 species per biofilm.
• Prokaryotes and unclassified species dominated, with lower percentages of fungi, viruses, and archaea.
• Unusual pathogens (e.g., *Mycobacterium*) and antibiotic resistance genes were detected.

Conclusions:

• Obturator prosthesis biofilms harbor dynamic and diverse microbial communities.
• These findings suggest a role for these biofilms in health and disease post-maxillofacial surgery.
• This is the first study to explore the microbiome of obturator prosthesis biofilms.