Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients
05:26

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients

Published on: March 1, 2024

2.3K

Disrupted Salivary Fungal Community in Patients With Oral Lichen Planus

Mengtong Zhang1, Wengieng Xiong1, Ruru Shao1

  • 1Department of Oral Mucosal Diseases, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China; College of Stomatology, National Centre for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Centre for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200011, China.

International Dental Journal
|April 3, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Oral lichen planus (OLP) salivary fungal communities show distinct alterations. Specific fungi like Pseudozyma and Simplicillium may act as biomarkers or probiotics, while Pyronema is linked to OLP disease.

Area of Science:

  • Oral microbiology
  • Mycology
  • Inflammatory diseases

Background:

  • Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition with malignant potential.
  • While bacterial dysbiosis in OLP is known, salivary fungal communities are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize salivary fungal community structure and ecological dynamics in OLP patients.
  • To identify potential fungal biomarkers for OLP diagnosis.

Main Methods:

  • Saliva samples from 30 participants (10 healthy controls, 10 reticular OLP, 10 erosive OLP) were analyzed.
  • Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing was used to profile fungal communities.
  • Diversity metrics, co-occurrence networks, and functional predictions were applied.

Main Results:

  • Fungal diversity differed significantly between groups.
  • Pseudozyma and Simplicillium were reduced in OLP, while Pyronema was exclusive to OLP.
  • OLP fungal networks were denser, with Pseudozyma and Pyronema identified as potential biomarkers.

Conclusions:

  • Salivary fungal communities are altered in OLP, with distinct compositional and structural changes.
  • Pseudozyma, Simplicillium, and Pyronema show potential as biomarkers for OLP.
  • Findings suggest new avenues for non-invasive OLP diagnostics and targeted therapies.
Keywords:
Fungal ecologyITS sequencingOral lichen planusSalivary microbiome

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Photodynamic Therapy with Curcumin in a Murine Model for Oral Candidiasis06:39

Author Spotlight: Exploring Photodynamic Therapy with Curcumin in a Murine Model for Oral Candidiasis

Published on: October 27, 2023

1.6K
Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases07:47

Anti-virulent Disruption of Pathogenic Biofilms using Engineered Quorum-quenching Lactonases

Published on: January 1, 2016

12.2K

Related Concept Videos

The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
41
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
727
The Skin Microbiota01:27

The Skin Microbiota

The human skin serves as a complex ecosystem inhabited by a diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining skin health and defending against pathogenic invaders. The composition of microbial communities varies significantly across different regions of the body, influenced primarily by the local levels of moisture and sebum.Regional Variation in Skin MicrobiotaCutibacterium acnes predominantly colonizes sebaceous...
55
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
38
Salivary Glands and Saliva01:23

Salivary Glands and Saliva

The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...
3.3K
Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods01:27

Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
236