Microbiological Analysis Following Periodontal Treatment in Individuals with Bronchiectasis

Periodontal status has been associated with infection in lung diseases such as chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). However, evidence regarding its association with bronchiectasis remains limited, despite the shared clinical and pathophysiological characteristics between the two conditions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether periodontal treatment affects not only the microbiota of saliva but also that of sputum and nasal secretions in individuals with bronchiectasis. This single-center, parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial included forty-nine individuals with bronchiectasis, who were randomly allocated using a predefined randomization sequence with allocation concealment to a conventional group (n = 26) submitted to mechanical periodontal treatment plus oral hygiene and a control group (n = 23) submitted to oral hygiene alone. Due to the nature of the intervention, participants and operators were not blinded. At the end of the study, all participants received periodontal treatment. The primary outcome was the quantitative assessment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) in sputum. Secondary outcomes included the quantification of these microorganisms in saliva and nasal secretions, as well as clinical periodontal parameters and quality-of-life assessment. All variables were evaluated at baseline and three months after treatment. Results: Periodontal treatment improved gingival and plaque indices in the conventional group compared with the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in sputum samples for any of the microorganisms analyzed, suggesting no measurable effect on bacterial levels in the lower airways within the study period. At the end of the experimental period, levels of P. aeruginosa and P. gingivalis decreased in nasal secretions, and levels of P. aeruginosa decreased in saliva in the conventional group but not the control group. No significant differences were found in S. aureus levels between groups or overtime. Also, no significant differences in total OHIP-14 scores were observed between groups. In conclusion, periodontal treatment was associated with reductions in P. aeruginosa in nasal secretions and saliva, and P. gingivalis in nasal secretions, in individuals with bronchiectasis and periodontitis. Periodontal treatment improved gingival and plaque indices in the conventional group compared with the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in sputum samples for any of the microorganisms analyzed, suggesting no measurable effect on bacterial levels in the lower airways within the study period. At the end of the experimental period, levels of P. aeruginosa and P. gingivalis decreased in nasal secretions, and levels of P. aeruginosa decreased in saliva in the conventional group but not the control group. No significant differences were found in S. aureus levels between groups or overtime. Also, no significant differences in total OHIP-14 scores were observed between groups.