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Research Square Aug 2023Periodontitis has been recently defined as a dysbiotic disease resulting from imbalanced oral microbiota. The transition of microbial communities from commensal to...
BACKGROUND
Periodontitis has been recently defined as a dysbiotic disease resulting from imbalanced oral microbiota. The transition of microbial communities from commensal to periodontitis-associated ones likely requires colonization by specific pathogens, including . We previously reported an antagonistic relationship between and and the role of in inhibition of the biofilm formation, invasion, and gingipain enzymatic activity of . Given the importance of as a keystone pathogen of polymicrobial communities, the determinants of levels, its interaction with the core microbiota, and association with the pathogenic potential of the microbial communities need to be addressed.
RESULTS
This present study intends to determine the role of in altering interactions of with other oral bacteria in a complex context. We collected dental plaque samples from periodontitis patients and assigned them into two groups based on their ratios of and . We then characterized microbial profiles of the dental plaque samples using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and subsequently compared oral microbial composition and functional capabilities between groups with high or low ratios. Taxonomic annotation showed significant differences in microbial compositions at both genus and species levels between the two groups. Notably, a higher microbial composition diversity was observed in the samples with low ratios. The antibiotic resistance gene profiles of the two groups are also distinct, with significantly increased diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in the dental plaque samples with low ratios, which likely lead to elevated virulence potential.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, our work highlights the importance of ratios in influencing the virulence of the oral microbiome. Approaches to enhance ratios in oral microbial communities will be attractive for revising the dysbiotic oral microbiome.
PubMed: 37674718
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3266326/v1 -
Heliyon Sep 2023A 66-year-old male with a history of low back pain was found to have discitis and osteomyelitis. Biopsy and PCR testing revealed infection. This bacteria does not...
A 66-year-old male with a history of low back pain was found to have discitis and osteomyelitis. Biopsy and PCR testing revealed infection. This bacteria does not typically cause disease, and only a few cases in the literature have reported it to cause infection in the bones or joints. This case illustrates that vertebral osteomyelitis with a rare causative agent, , is possible and can be identified with PCR. Treatment typically requires long-term antibiotics tailored to the causative agent for a minimum of 6 weeks and can sometimes include surgical management.
PubMed: 37809561
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19616 -
Microbiology Spectrum Feb 2024Periodontitis has recently been defined as a dysbiotic disease caused by an imbalanced oral microbiota. The transition from commensal microbial communities to...
Periodontitis has recently been defined as a dysbiotic disease caused by an imbalanced oral microbiota. The transition from commensal microbial communities to periodontitis-associated ones requires colonization by specific pathogens, including . We previously reported an antagonistic relationship between and . To determine the role of in altering the interactions of with other oral bacteria in a complex context, we collected dental plaque samples from patients with periodontitis and assigned them to two groups based on the ratios of and . We then characterized the microbial profiles of the dental plaque samples using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and compared the oral microbial composition and functional capabilities of the group with high ratios with the low ratio group. Taxonomic annotation revealed significant differences in the microbial composition at both the genus and species levels between the low and high ratio groups. Notably, a higher microbial diversity was observed in the samples with low ratios. Furthermore, the antibiotic resistance gene profiles of the two groups were also distinct, with a significantly increased abundance of the genes in the dental plaque samples with low ratios. It, therefore, indicates that the ratios influenced the virulence potential of the oral microbiome. Our work shows that enhancing the ratio in oral microbial communities can be an attractive approach for revising the dysbiotic oral microbiome.IMPORTANCEPeriodontitis, one of the most common chronic diseases, is linked to several systemic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Although is a keystone pathogen that causes periodontitis, its levels, interactions with accessory bacteria and pathobionts in the oral microbiome, and its association with the pathogenic potential of the microbial communities are still not well understood. In this study, we revealed the role of and the ratios of and in modulating the oral microbiome to facilitate a deeper understanding of periodontitis and its progression. The study has important clinical implications as it laid a foundation for developing novel non-antibiotic therapies against and improving the efficiency of periodontal treatments.
Topics: Humans; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Dental Plaque; Periodontitis; Microbiota; Streptococcus
PubMed: 38230927
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03482-23 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2021Periodontitis disproportionately affects different racial and ethnic populations. In this study, we used qPCR to determine and compare oral microbial profiles in dental...
Periodontitis disproportionately affects different racial and ethnic populations. In this study, we used qPCR to determine and compare oral microbial profiles in dental plaque samples from 191 periodontitis patients of different ethnic/racial backgrounds. We also obtained the periodontal parameters of these patients retrospectively using axiUm and performed statistical analysis using SAS 9.4. We found that in this patient cohort, neighborhood median incomes were significantly higher among Caucasians Americans (CAs) than among African Americans (AAs) and Hispanic Americans (HAs). Levels of total bacteria and , a keystone periodontal pathogen, were not evenly distributed among the three groups. We confirmed our previous findings that reduces virulence potential and likely serves as a beneficial bacterium. We also showed the ratio of to to be significantly higher in CAs than in HAs and AAs. Our results suggest that higher levels of and lower ratios of to may contribute to periodontal health disparities.
Topics: Humans; Periodontitis; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Virulence
PubMed: 34869082
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.789919 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2021Peri-implantitis (PI) is a relatively frequent pathology that compromises the overall survival of the dental implant. Adjunctive approaches for the conventional...
Peri-implantitis (PI) is a relatively frequent pathology that compromises the overall survival of the dental implant. Adjunctive approaches for the conventional mechanical debridement are being suggested to optimize the treatment of PI. The goal of the study was the assessment of the disinfection potential of the Q-Switch Nd: YAG laser on contaminated titanium implant surfaces. A total of 72 sterile titanium discs were used and divided into three groups: 24 contaminated titanium discs treated with the laser (study Group L), 24 contaminated titanium discs with no treatment (control 1-Group C), and 24 sterile titanium discs with no treatment (control 2-Group S). Multi-species biofilm was used: Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sobrinus, and Prevotella intermedia. Commensal bacteria were included also: Actinomyces naeslundii, Actinomyces viscosus, Streptococcus cristatus, Streptococcus gordonii, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus parasanguinis, and Veillonella parvula. Parameters delivered per pulse on the targeted surfaces of the titanium discs were an energy density of 0.597 J/cm each pulse, a pulse power of 270 mW, a laser beam spot of 2.4 mm in diameter, and a rate of repetition of 10 Hertz (Hz) for a pulse duration of 6 nanoseconds (ns). The mode was no contact, and a distance of 500 micrometers was used with a total time of irradiation equal to 2 s (s). The collection of microbiological samples was made for all groups; colony-forming units (CFU) were identified by two different practitioners, and the average of their examinations was considered for each sample. The average of the TBC (CFU/mL) was calculated for each group. Values were 0.000 CFU/mL, 4767 CFU/mL, and 0.000 CFU/mL for Group L, Group C, and Group S, respectively. Therefore, the suggested treatment protocol was able to provoke a total disinfection of the contaminated titanium surfaces. A statistical difference was only found between Group L vs. Group C and between Group S vs. Group C. The difference was not significant between Group S and Group L. In conclusion, the present study confirmed that the Q-Switch Nd: YAG laser under our specific conditions can provide a total disinfection of the contaminated titanium surfaces.
PubMed: 34683666
DOI: 10.3390/ma14206078 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2023Smoking accelerates periodontal disease and alters the subgingival microbiome. However, the relationship between smoking-associated subgingival dysbiosis and progression...
Smoking accelerates periodontal disease and alters the subgingival microbiome. However, the relationship between smoking-associated subgingival dysbiosis and progression of periodontal disease is not well understood. Here, we sampled 233 subgingival sites longitudinally from 8 smokers and 9 non-smokers over 6-12 months, analyzing 804 subgingival plaque samples using 16 rRNA sequencing. At equal probing depths, the microbial richness and diversity of the subgingival microbiome was higher in smokers compared to non-smokers, but these differences decreased as probing depths increased. The overall subgingival microbiome of smokers differed significantly from non-smokers at equal probing depths, which was characterized by colonization of novel minority microbes and a shift in abundant members of the microbiome to resemble periodontally diseased communities enriched with pathogenic bacteria. Temporal analysis showed that microbiome in shallow sites were less stable than deeper sites, but temporal stability of the microbiome was not significantly affected by smoking status or scaling and root planing. We identified 7 taxa-Olsenella sp., Streptococcus cristatus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus parasanguinis, Prevotella sp., Alloprevotella sp., and a Bacteroidales sp. that were significantly associated with progression of periodontal disease. Taken together, these results suggest that subgingival dysbiosis in smokers precedes clinical signs of periodontal disease, and support the hypothesis that smoking accelerates subgingival dysbiosis to facilitate periodontal disease progression.
Topics: Humans; Dysbiosis; Smoking; Tobacco Smoking; Smokers; Periodontal Diseases; Bacteroidetes
PubMed: 36882425
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30203-z -
Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia :... Feb 2023
Review
Topics: Humans; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Endocarditis; Streptococcus; Bacteremia
PubMed: 36458725
DOI: 10.37201/req/090.2022 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports May 2023Streptococcus cristatus is a member of the Mitis streptococcus group. Like other members of this group, it resides on mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity. However,...
BACKGROUND
Streptococcus cristatus is a member of the Mitis streptococcus group. Like other members of this group, it resides on mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity. However, little is known about its ability to cause disease as there are only a handful of cases in the literature. Two of these cases involved infective endocarditis with significant complications. However, these cases involved additional microbes, limiting the inferences about the pathogenicity of Streptococcus cristatus.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 59-year-old African American male with end-stage cryptogenic cirrhosis and ascites presented with fatigue and confusion. A paracentesis was negative for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, but two separate blood cultures grew Streptococcus cristatus. Our patient had a history of dental caries and poor oral hygiene, which were likely the source of the infection. Echocardiograms revealed new aortic regurgitation, indicating "possible endocarditis" per the Modified Duke Criteria. However, since his clinical picture and cardiac function were reassuring, we elected against treatment for infective endocarditis. He was treated for bacteremia with a 2-week course of cephalosporins consisting of 8 days of ceftriaxone, transitioning to cefpodoxime after discharge. Despite having end-stage liver disease, our patient did not experience any significant complications from the infection.
CONCLUSION
A patient with end-stage cirrhosis and poor oral hygiene developed bacteremia with an oral bacterium called Streptococcus cristatus. Unlike previous cases in literature, our patient did not meet criteria for a definitive diagnosis of infective endocarditis, and he experienced no other complications from the infection. This suggests coinfectants may have been primarily responsible for the severe cardiac sequelae in prior cases, whereas isolated Streptococcus cristatus infection may be relatively mild.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Hygiene; Dental Caries; Streptococcal Infections; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Endocarditis; Streptococcus pyogenes; Bacteremia
PubMed: 37194080
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-03818-z -
ACS Chemical Biology Dec 2021is an early colonizer of the oral microbiome with documented bactericidal activity against the oral pathogen . has been observed to possess the typical competence...
is an early colonizer of the oral microbiome with documented bactericidal activity against the oral pathogen . has been observed to possess the typical competence regulon found within most oral streptococci; however, the competence-stimulating peptide (CSP) responsible for QS activation and the regulatory role of the competence regulon is yet to be explored. Herein, we have both confirmed the identity of the CSP and utilized a wide range of phenotypic assays to characterize its regulatory role in competence, biofilm formation, and hydrogen peroxide formation. To determine the importance of each amino acid residue in CSP/ComD binding, we performed systematic replacement of amino acid residues within the CSP and developed a luciferase-based reporter system to assess the ability of these mutated analogues to modulate the competence regulon. Additionally, we performed CD analysis on mutated CSP analogues to determine the correlation between the peptide secondary structure and QS activation. To further explore ' potential as a biotherapeutic against infection, lead QS activators and inhibitors were used in interspecies competition assays to assess the effect of QS modulation on interactions between these two species. Lastly, we have documented a lack of -induced cytotoxicity, highlighting the potential of this native flora as a biotherapeutic with minimal health risks.
Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Biofilms; Hydrogen Peroxide; Peptides; Protein Binding; Regulon; Streptococcus; Streptococcus mutans; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 34860484
DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00746 -
MicrobiologyOpen Jan 2021To survive within complex environmental niches, including the human host, bacteria have evolved intricate interspecies communities driven by competition for limited...
To survive within complex environmental niches, including the human host, bacteria have evolved intricate interspecies communities driven by competition for limited nutrients, cooperation via complementary metabolic proficiencies, and establishment of homeostatic relationships with the host immune system. The study of such complex, interdependent relationships is often hampered by the challenges of culturing many bacterial strains in research settings and the limited set of tools available for studying the dynamic behavior of multiple bacterial species at the microscale. Here, we utilize a microfluidic-based co-culture system and time-lapse imaging to characterize dynamic interactions between Streptococcus species, Staphylococcus aureus, and Actinomyces species. Co-culture of Streptococcus cristatus or S. salivarius in nanoliter compartments with Actinomyces graevenitzii revealed localized exclusion of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus from media immediately surrounding A. graevenitzii microcolonies. This community structure did not occur with S. mitis or S. oralis strains or in co-cultures containing other Actinomycetaceae species such as S. odontolyticus or A. naeslundii. Moreover, fewer neutrophils were attracted to compartments containing both A. graevenitzii and Staphylococcus aureus than to an equal number of either species alone, suggesting a possible survival benefit together during immune responses.
Topics: Actinomyces; Antibiosis; Biofilms; Coculture Techniques; Host Microbial Interactions; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Microbiota; Microfluidics; Mouth; Neutrophils; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus
PubMed: 33544453
DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1137