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10:24

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Published on: July 4, 2018

Concurrent evolution of infant oral and gut microbiota implies oral-to-gut transmission

Chi-Ting Lai1, Wei-Hsiang Lee2, Yu-Yuan Chang3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin Branch, Yunlin county, Taiwan.

Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan Yi Zhi
|May 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The infant oral microbiome can influence gut microbial development. Certain oral bacteria like Rothia and Veillonella show correlations with gut microbiota, suggesting early intervention for infant gut health.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Infant health
  • Gut-oral axis

Background:

  • The infant oral microbiome is theorized to seed the gut microbiome.
  • Understanding this relationship is crucial for infant gut microbial development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between oral and gut microbiota in early infant life.
  • To identify shared bacteria and their correlations.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective longitudinal study of 15 healthy infants.
  • Collection of stool, saliva, and buccal mucosal samples from birth to 6 months.
  • 16S-rRNA sequencing for microbial analysis.

Main Results:

  • Gut microbial niche differentiation begins by the second day of life.
  • Oral and gut microbiomes largely develop independently.
  • Oral bacteria (Rothia, Prevotella, Veillonella) correlated with gut microbiota development.

Conclusions:

  • Early detection and treatment of infant gut dysbiosis are important.
  • Ruminococcus and Veillonella warrant further investigation for oral-to-gut transmission and therapeutic potential.
Abstract

Keywords:
Gut microbiotaInfantNiche differentiationOral microbiotaOral-to-gut microbiota transmissionSeeding species

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