Oral Mycobiome: Composition, Functionality and Clinical Implication

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Oral Health
• Mycology

Background:

• Historically, studying oral fungi was difficult due to cultivation limitations.
• Metagenomic advancements have revolutionized the understanding of the oral mycobiome.
• The oral mycobiome comprises diverse fungal species influencing oral health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the scientific literature on oral mycobiome composition and dynamics.
• To analyze the oral mycobiome's impact on local pathological conditions.
• To explore the role of specific fungi in oral diseases.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing scientific evidence.
• Analysis of studies utilizing metagenomic techniques for fungal identification.
• Synthesis of data on fungal species prevalence in health and disease.

Main Results:

• The oral mycobiome is diverse, with *Candida* being prominent, followed by *Cladosporium*, *Aureobasidium*, and *Saccharomyces*.
• *Candida albicans* is common in health and disease, but other *Candida* species and fungi like *Pichia kudriavzevii* are linked to oral candidiasis.
• *C. albicans* and *C. dubliniensis* associate with advanced dental caries, while *Debaryomyces* and *Rhodotorula* may offer protection against *Streptococcus mutans*.
• Increased yeast-bacteria interactions are noted in periodontitis, and *C. albicans* is implicated in oral carcinogenesis.

Conclusions:

• A comprehensive understanding of the oral mycobiome is crucial.
• This knowledge can facilitate early detection of oral diseases.
• It can also guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the oral mycobiome.