Microbiome of Odontogenic Abscesses

Pediatric Odontogenic Infections

Odontogenic infections are a broad group of head and neck conditions that arise from the teeth and surrounding periodontium. These largely preventable infections disproportionately affect members of ethnic and racial minorities and low-income/uninsured groups, and result in significant costs to our health care system. Left untreated, odontogenic infections can spread to deep spaces of the head and neck and can result in life-threatening complications. The mainstay of treatment includes timely treatment of the affected teeth. These infections are a global public health concern that could be diminished with improved access to routine dental care.

An inflammatory paradox: strategies inflammophilic oral pathobionts employ to exploit innate immunity via neutrophil manipulation

Inflammatory dysbiotic diseases present an intriguing biological paradox. Like most other infectious disease processes, the alarm bells of the host are potently activated by tissue-destructive pathobionts, triggering a cascade of physiological responses that ultimately mobilize immune cells like neutrophils to sites of active infection. Typically, these inflammatory host responses are critical to inhibit and/or eradicate infecting microbes. However, for many inflammatory dysbiotic diseases, inflammophilic pathobiont-enriched communities not only survive the inflammatory response, but they actually obtain a growth advantage when challenged with an inflammatory environment. This is especially true for those organisms that have evolved various strategies to resist and/or manipulate components of innate immunity. In contrast, members of the commensal microbiome typically experience a competitive growth disadvantage under inflammatory selective pressure, hindering their critical ability to restrict pathobiont proliferation. Here, we examine examples of bacteria-neutrophil interactions from both conventional pathogens and inflammophiles. We discuss some of the strategies utilized by them to illustrate how inflammophilic microbes can play a central role in the positive feedback cycle that exemplifies dysbiotic chronic inflammatory diseases.

Influences of ultrasound osteotome on wound infection and wound complications following removal of mandibular wisdom teeth

We conducted this study to assess the effect of ultrasound osteotome on surgical site wound infection and pain following removal of mandibular wisdom teeth. A computerised search of Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, Wanfang and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases for publicly available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the clinical effects of applying ultrasound osteotome to extract mandibular wisdom teeth was conducted from the inception of the databases to September 2023. Two researchers independently screened the retrieved results for literature screening, quality assessment and data extraction. RevMan 5.4 software was applied for data analysis. A total of 17 RCTs were included in this study, including 848 cases in the ultrasound osteotome group and 842 cases in the control group. The analysis revealed, compared with the control group, the ultrasound osteotome group showed a significantly lower incidence of postoperative wound infection (1.42% vs. 5.46%, odds ratio [OR]: 0.30, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.17-0.53, p < 0.0001), fewer postoperative complications (6.35% vs. 22.12%, OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.17-0.32, p < 0.00001), shorter operative time (standardised mean differences [SMD]: -1.30, 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.64, p = 0.0001) and lower wound pain scores (SMD: -2.26 95% CI -2.80 to -1.73, p < 0.00001). Strong evidence suggests that ultrasound osteotome applied to extract mandibular wisdom teeth is more advantageous in terms of lower postoperative wound infection, less wound pain, fewer postoperative complications and shorter operative time compared with conventional treatment methods, but large-scale, multicentre RCTs are still needed to obtain more accurate results.

Pleural Empyema Caused by Streptococcus intermedius and Fusobacterium nucleatum: A Distinct Entity of Pleural Infections

BACKGROUND

Many community-acquired pleural infections are caused by facultative and anaerobic bacteria from the human oral microbiota. The epidemiology, clinical characteristics, pathogenesis, and etiology of such infections are little studied. The aim of the present prospective multicenter cohort study was to provide a thorough microbiological and clinical characterization of such oral-type pleural infections and to improve our understanding of the underlying etiology and associated risk factors.

METHODS

Over a 2-year period, we included 77 patients with community-acquired pleural infection, whereof 63 (82%) represented oral-type pleural infections. Clinical and anamnestic data were systematically collected, and patients were offered a dental assessment by an oral surgeon. Microbial characterizations were done using next-generation sequencing. Obtained bacterial profiles were compared with microbiology data from previous investigations on odontogenic infections, bacteremia after extraction of infected teeth, and community-acquired brain abscesses.

RESULTS

From the oral-type pleural infections, we made 267 bacterial identifications representing 89 different species. Streptococcus intermedius and/or Fusobacterium nucleatum were identified as a dominant component in all infections. We found a high prevalence of dental infections among patients with oral-type pleural infection and demonstrate substantial similarities between the microbiology of such pleural infections and that of odontogenic infections, odontogenic bacteremia, and community-acquired brain abscesses.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral-type pleural infection is the most common type of community-acquired pleural infection. Current evidence supports hematogenous seeding of bacteria from a dental focus as the most important underlying etiology. Streptococcus intermedius and Fusobacterium nucleatum most likely represent key pathogens necessary for establishing the infection.

Root Canal Infection and Its Impact on the Oral Cavity Microenvironment in the Context of Immune System Disorders in Selected Diseases: A Narrative Review

The oral cavity has a specific microenvironment, and structures such as teeth are constantly exposed to chemical and biological factors. Although the structure of the teeth is permanent, due to exposure of the pulp and root canal system, trauma can have severe consequences and cause the development of local inflammation caused by external and opportunistic pathogens. Long-term inflammation can affect not only the local pulp and periodontal tissues but also the functioning of the immune system, which can trigger a systemic reaction. This literature review presents the current knowledge on root canal infections and their impact on the oral microenvironment in the context of immune system disorders in selected diseases. The result of the analysis of the literature is the statement that periodontal-disease-caused inflammation in the oral cavity may affect the development and progression of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Sjogren's syndrome, as well as affecting the faster progression of conditions in which inflammation occurs such as, among others, chronic kidney disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

Identification of Pathogenic Microflora and Its Sensitivity to Antibiotics in Cases of the Odontogenic Purulent Periostitis and Abscesses in the Oral Cavity

Odontogenic infections are the most common infectious and inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial area and problem of the causative pathogen identification is an actual task, part of a permanent process of updating and modernization of treatment and diagnostic protocols and standards. In presented study a purulent exudate from 13 patients with acute purulent odontogenic intraoral lesions was studied by bacteriological method with detection of sensitivity to antibacterial agents. Bacteriological studies showed that genus Streptococcus predominated in 69.23% cases. Pathogenic microorganisms in clinically significant concentrations (105 per 1 ml and above) (Streptococcus and Staphylococcus) were resistant to Tetracycline and Doxycycline, had moderate sensitivity to macrolides in 22.22% and resistance in 77.78%. Amoxicillin/clavulanate caused effective growth retardation in 22.22% cases and moderate delay - in 77.78% without cases of resistance. Sensitivity to cephalosporins was detected in 50.00% cases, moderate sensitivity - in 38.89%, resistance - in 11.11%. Fluoroquinolones were the most effective - sensitivity in 72.22% cases, moderate sensitivity - in 22.22%, resistance - in 5.56%. The most effective fluoroquinolones were Moxifloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. The highest resistance to antifungal agents was shown by genus Candida, antifungal susceptibility was observed only in 20.00% cases. The microbiota of purulent odontogenic inflammation in the oral cavity was identified in clinically significant concentrations in only 61.54% cases with predominance of Streptococcus. The most effective antibacterial agents for odontogenic purulent process may be considered among cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. There is a need to repeat similar studies in other regions of Ukraine and at other times of the year.

Clinical Microbial Identification of Severe Oral Infections by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry in Stockholm County: an 11-Year (2010 to 2020) Epidemiological Investigation

Growing evidence suggests that oral infections can modify the course of systemic diseases. To date, epidemiological data on microbial oral infections are scarce. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the trend and microbial diversity in oral infection specimens referred for clinical microbiology analysis from 2010 to 2020. The microbes were isolated by culture and were identified via matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry technology (MALDI-TOF MS) throughout the study period. A total of 1,014 referred samples from dental clinics in Stockholm County with dentoalveolar abscesses and jaw osteomyelitis being the main reason were identified. Overall, the microbial composition was dominated by Firmicutes (51%), followed by Bacteroidetes (19%), Proteobacteria (12%), and Actinobacteria (5%). At the genus level, Streptococcus spp. (36%), Prevotella spp. (18%), and Staphylococcus spp. (11%) were among the most frequently reported. Interestingly, a strong increase in trend was noted for Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Eikenella corrodens, Actinomyces spp., Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Granulicatella adiacens during the study time (R = 0.66 to 0.89, P < 0.05), and a minor increase was noted for Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella spp., whereas steady levels were noted for most of the others. The present study shows the diversity of bacteria that have been involved in dental infections during the last decade in the capital of Sweden, as well as the emerging oral microbiota trend, with clear clinical implications on the oral-systemic link. IMPORTANCE Oral diseases and associated microbes are a risk factor for systemic diseases and can change the courses of these diseases. To date, epidemiological data on microbial oral infections are scarce, and longitudinal reports are lacking. We present for the first time the microbial composition of severe oral bacterial infections determined via the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique in a comprehensive study between 2010 and 2020 (11 years) in Stockholm County. The trend and microbial diversity of oral infections were analyzed on referred clinical microbiological samples and were processed by standardized protocols. Trend increase was noted for Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Eikenella corrodens, Actinomyces spp., Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Granulicatella adiacens, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella spp. Our results provide new insights into the diversity and trend of oral microbiota that were involved in serious oral infections over the past decade in the capital of Sweden and may influence the oral-systemic link.

Microbiological Aspects Concerning the Etiology of Acute Odontogenic Inflammatory Diseases in the Soft Tissues of the Head and Neck Region

Odontogenic purulent inflammatory diseases (OPID) make up about 20% of cases in the structure of general surgical pathology and are among the frequent diseases of the maxillofacial region (MFR) with a high (10-40%) mortality rate. Insufficient information about the source state of acute odontogenic inflammation of the peri-mandibular soft tissues significantly reduces the effectiveness of diagnostic measures of OPID in MFR, as evidenced by almost 50% of the diagnostic error rate. Statistically, OPID in soft-tissue of MFR most often occur due to dissemination of pathogens of the necrotized pulp, periodontal pockets in periodontitis or pericoronitis during the difficult eruption of retained teeth. Previously, the quantitative dominance (about 70%) of Staphylococcus spp. among the microorganisms isolated from the odontogenic foci of inflammation was determined. However, in recent years, with the expansion of microbiological diagnostic capabilities, the presence of non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria and anaerobes with a significant proportional proportion of the total microbiota of OPID in soft tissue of MFR has been increasingly indicated. Recently, there has been a rapid acquisition of resistance of pathogens of odontogenic purulent inflammatory diseases of the maxillofacial region to various groups of antibiotics, which leads to ineffectiveness of their treatment and prompts the revision of existing protocols and treatment regimens in surgical dentistry

Rare brain and pulmonary abscesses caused by oral pathogens started with acute gastroenteritis diagnosed by metagenome next-generation sequencing: A case report and literature review

Odontogenic brain and pulmonary abscesses are extremely rare infectious diseases. It is mainly caused by the upward or downward transmission of local infection or blood-borne spread. In recent years, with the wide application of some novel testing methods in clinical practice, the diagnosis of unexplained infections such as odontogenic abscesses in different organs has gradually become clear. We report a case of a 21-year-old male who was healthy and had not received any oral treatment before onset. He started with acute gastroenteritis-related symptoms, then developed meningitis-related symptoms seven days later with septic shock. No obvious abscess lesions were found on head computed tomography (CT) at admission, and the etiology was not clear by routine examination, which was very easy to misdiagnose as a serious infection caused by intestinal pathogens. But odontogenic pathogens were found both in his blood and cerebrospinal fluid through metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) analysis. Subsequently, rechecked imaging examination displayed multiple brain and pulmonary abscesses. Finally, it was diagnosed as an odontogenic brain and pulmonary abscess. After an extremely lengthy anti-infection course (13 weeks of intravenous antibiotics plus 2 weeks of oral antibiotics) and surgery, the patient was improved and discharged from the hospital. From this case, we could see that the development of new diagnostic technologies such as mNGS plays an important role in the early and confirmed diagnosis of diseases previously difficult to diagnose such as odontogenic polymicrobial infections and ultimately helps to improve the prognosis of these patients.

Evolution of the treatment of severe odontogenic infections over 50 years: A comprehensive review

Objectives

Severe odontogenic infections remain a challenge for maxillofacial surgeons. The aim of this work is to review the literature to provide an update of knowledge on the topic.

Methods

A comprehensive review of articles in PubMed, Web of Science and Africa Journals Online was performed through searching for "severe odontogenic infections." No language restrictions were applied. Only articles pertaining to treatment options were retrieved. Articles from the past 50 years were included.

Results

A total of 84 articles from 39 countries worldwide were included. Severe odontogenic infections are not unique to low- and middle-income countries but also pose challenges in developed countries. Surgical management and antibiotic therapy for this type of infection is discussed. Some immunocompromised patients have high risks of complications and mortality rates. A world map of publications on the topic is provided.

Conclusions

Several important aspects of managing severe odontogenic infections are discussed. Predictors of severity in addition to recommended antibiotic choice have been debated. Diabetes mellitus is a poor predictor of the prognosis of odontogenic infections.

A Five-Year Retrospective Study of 746 Cases with Maxillofacial Space Infection in Western China

Purpose

To grasp the current epidemiological situation of maxillofacial space infection and investigate the risk factors contributing to the longer hospitalization of odontogenic space infection in western China.

Patients and Methods

This retrospective study collected the clinical characteristics from 746 hospitalized patients with maxillofacial space infection and investigated the risk factors associated with longer hospitalization. Pearson’s chi-square test and multivariable binary logistic regression were performed for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 438 males and 308 females were included in this study, aging from 1 to 90 years (mean age 48.6 years). 74.9% cases resulted from odontogenic infections, with the submandibular space being the most commonly involved space (53.7%). Advanced age (OR (>60 y:19–60 y:≤18 y) = 3.784:3.416:1, p < 0.05), treatment before admission (OR = 2.271, p < 0.05) and number of involved spaces (OR (≥4:2–3:1) = 3.204:1.931:1, p < 0.05) were closely related to longer hospitalization. Streptococcus being the most frequently found aerobic bacteria (268/615, 43.6%) of all the bacteria isolated was resistant to clarithromycin (91.5%) and erythromycin (92.8%).

Conclusion

Hospitalization time could be longer for patients with the identified risk factors. Streptococcus, as the most common type of aerobic flora, is highly resistant to clindamycin and erythromycin.

Genetic Homology between Bacteria Isolated from Pulmonary Abscesses or Pyothorax and Bacteria from the Oral Cavity

Pulmonary abscesses and pyothorax are bacterial infections believed to be caused primarily by oral microbes. However, past reports addressing such infections have not provided genetic evidence and lack accuracy, as they used samples that had passed through the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to determine whether genetically identical bacterial strains exist in both the oral microbiota and pus specimens that were obtained percutaneously from pulmonary abscesses and pyothorax, without oral contamination. First, bacteria isolated from pus were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. It was then determined by quantitative PCR using bacterial-species-specific primers that DNA extracted from paired patient oral swab sample suspensions contained the same species. This demonstrated sufficient levels of bacterial DNA of the targeted species to use for further analysis in 8 of 31 strains. Therefore, the whole-genome sequences of these eight strains were subsequently determined and compared against an open database of the same species. Five strain-specific primers were synthesized for each of the eight strains. DNA extracted from the paired oral swab sample suspensions of the corresponding patients was PCR amplified using five strain-specific primers. The results provided strong evidence that certain pus-derived bacterial strains were of oral origin. Furthermore, this two-step identification process provides a novel method that will contribute to the study of certain pathogens of the microbiota.

IMPORTANCE We present direct genetic evidence that some of the bacteria in pulmonary abscesses and pyothorax are derived from the oral flora. This is the first report describing the presence of genetically homologous strains both in pus from pulmonary abscesses and pyothorax and in swab samples from the mouth. We developed a new method incorporating quantitative PCR and next-generation sequencing and successfully prevented contamination of pus specimens with oral bacteria by percutaneous sample collection. The new genetic method would be useful for enabling investigations on other miscellaneous flora; for example, detection of pathogens from the intestinal flora at the strain level.

Odontogenic Cervicofacial Necrotizing Fasciitis: Microbiological Characterization and Management of Four Clinical Cases

Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck is a rare, very severe disease, which, in most cases, originates from odontogenic infections and frequently ends with the death of the patient. Rapid surgical intervention in combination with a preferably pathogen-specific antibiotic therapy can ensure patients’ survival. The question arises concerning which pathogens are causative for the necrotizing course of odontogenic inflammations. Experimental 16S-rRNA gene analysis with next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics was used to identify the microbiome of patients treated with an odontogenic necrotizing infection and compared to the result of the routine culture. Three of four patients survived the severe infection, and one patient died due to septic multiorgan failure. Microbiome determination revealed findings comparable to typical odontogenic abscesses. A specific pathogen which could be causative for the necrotizing course could not be identified. Early diagnosis and rapid surgical intervention and a preferably pathogen-specific antibiotic therapy, also covering the anaerobic spectrum of odontogenic infections, are the treatments of choice. The 16S-rRNA gene analysis detected significantly more bacteria than conventional methods; therefore, molecular methods should become a part of routine diagnostics in medical microbiology.

The Microbiota Profile Analysis of Combined Periodontal-Endodontic Lesions Using 16S rRNA Next-Generation Sequencing

Objective

The primary aim of this investigation was to analyze the microbiome in patients with combined periodontal-endodontic lesions.

Method

Patients with loose and/or painful teeth referred for treatment from March 2020 to December 2020 in the First People's Hospital of Jinzhong were recruited. Samples were collected from teeth diagnosed as chronic periodontics (PE), ulcerative pulpitis (PU), and retrograde pulpitis (RE). Genomic DNA was extracted. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction, targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), was adopted for the quantification of bacteria. Then, the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene were amplified and subjected to next-generation sequencing. The statistical analysis was performed by R software (V3.5.1).

Results

A total of 57 qualified samples were collected from 48 patients and analyzed (7 PE, 21 PU, and 19 RE). By linear discriminant analysis effect size, Kingella and Barnesiella were significantly increased in the periodontal pocket of retrograde pulpitis (RE-PE), compared with PE. The relative abundance of Clostridiales Incertae Sedis XI, Fusobacteriaceae, Fusobacterium, Parvimonas, Micrococcaceae, and Rothia was significantly increased in the pulp of retrograde pulpitis (RE-PU) than PU and RE-PE. Prevotella, Leptotrichia, Porphyromonas, Streptococcus, and Fusobacterium are consistently at a high abundance, across PU, RE-PE, and RE-PU.

Conclusion

The current study highlighted the evidence that a specific microbial community is associated with the occurrence of retrograde pulpitis. The microenvironment of the root canal and pulp chamber will select microbiota. This study offered insights into the pathogenesis of retrograde pulpitis.

Clinical Relevance of the Microbiome in Odontogenic Abscesses

Simple Summary

Odontogenic infections are very common. The course of disease ranges from mild to severe and sometimes even life-threatening infections. Optimal therapy is based on rapid abscess incision and, especially in severe cases, on adjuvant antibiotic therapy that ideally targets the culprit bacteria. In order to identify these bacteria, clinicians usually perform cultural analysis from smears of pus and aim for antibiotic susceptibility testing. In recent years, using new molecular methods, it has become possible to carry out a much more detailed analysis of the bacterial colonization of different parts of the human body by determining a microbiome. In our study, we have, for the first time, compared such a microbiome of odontogenic abscesses with cultural bacterial determination carried out in the clinical routine of a university hospital. The key finding of the study is not only that considerably more bacteria can be detected in the abscess in this way but also that easily cultivated bacteria dominate over the actual fastidious pathogenic bacteria. Thus, routine clinical culture probably only provides a distorted picture of reality and should be supplemented by molecular methods in the future.

Abstract

Odontogenic abscesses are usually caused by bacteria of the oral microbiome. However, the diagnostic culture of these bacteria is often prone to errors and sometimes fails completely due to the fastidiousness of the relevant bacterial species. The question arises whether additional pathogen diagnostics using molecular methods provide additional benefits for diagnostics and therapy. Experimental 16S rRNA gene analysis with next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics was used to identify the microbiome of the pus in patients with severe odontogenic infections and was compared to the result of standard diagnostic culture. The pus microbiome was determined in 48 hospitalized patients with a severe odontogenic abscess in addition to standard cultural pathogen detection. Cultural detection was possible in 41 (85.42%) of 48 patients, while a pus-microbiome could be determined in all cases. The microbiomes showed polymicrobial infections in 46 (95.83%) cases, while the picture of a mono-infection occurred only twice (4.17%). In most cases, a predominantly anaerobic spectrum with an abundance of bacteria was found in the pus-microbiome, while culture detected mainly Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Prevotella spp. The determination of the microbiome of odontogenic abscesses clearly shows a higher number of bacteria and a significantly higher proportion of anaerobes than classical cultural methods. The 16S rRNA gene analysis detects considerably more bacteria than conventional cultural methods, even in culture-negative samples. Molecular methods should be implemented as standards in medical microbiology diagnostics, particularly for the detection of polymicrobial infections with a predominance of anaerobic bacteria.