Relationship between Gram negative enteric rods, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and clinical parameters in periodontal disease

Bacteriome analysis of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-JP2 genotype-associated Grade C periodontitis in Moroccan adolescents

Background

Grade C (previously aggressive) periodontitis (GCP) in adolescents is prevalent in certain parts of Africa where it is associated with JP2 genotype, a highly virulent strain of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The aim of this study was to characterize the subgingival bacteriome in Moroccan subjects with GCP positive to A. actinomycetemcomitans JP2 genotype.

Methods

Subgingival plaque samples were collected from shallow and deep pockets of 8 subjects with GCP (17.2 ± 1.5 years) and from gingival sulci of 13 controls with no periodontitis (14.6 ± 1.1 years). Identification and genotyping of A. actinomycetemcomitans was performed using PCR analysis of the ltx operon, while bacteriome profiling was done by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V1-V3 region). Groups were compared in terms of microbial diversity, abundances, and dysbiosis.

Results

The shallow and deep pocket sites from GCP cases had a significantly altered microbial composition compared to controls. Species associated with health included Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Lautropia mirabilis, Streptococcus spp., Gemella spp., and Rothia spp. While known periodontal pathogens, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema spp. and Fretibacterium spp., were significantly enriched in GCP, non-conventional taxa, including Pseudomonas oral taxon C61 and Enterobacter cloacae were more abundant and showed stronger association with the disease. Less significant differences in abundances of individual taxa were observed between shallow and deep pockets. Overall dysbiosis measured in terms of Subgingival Microbial Dysbiosis Index (SMDI) differentiated between GCP and no-periodontitis with 95% accuracy.

Conclusions

The results suggest that several periodontal pathogens involved in the adult-type periodontitis also play a role in JP2 genotype-associated GCP. The potential role of non-conventional taxa in the pathogenesis of GCP warrants further investigation.

Orally Administered Probiotics Decrease Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans but Not Other Periodontal Pathogenic Bacteria Counts in the Oral Cavity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: At the initial part of the gastrointestinal tract, multiple tissues serve the normal function of food delivery. Periodontal structures are integral elements of these. When they deteriorate, it is extremely challenging to regenerate and reconstruct them. The conventional intervention for periodontal disease is scaling and root planning with the aim of reducing pathogenic bacteria. However, periodontal pathogens can rapidly recolonize treated areas. Probiotics have been proposed as novel tools for managing oral health by suppressing pathogenic bacteria through their anti-inflammatory effect, but the available data are controversial. Aim: Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to study the effect of probiotics on periodontal pathogenic bacteria. Methods: The study was registered in PROSPERO under registration number CRD42018094903. A comprehensive literature search from four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase, and Web of Science) yielded nine eligible records for statistical analysis. Studies measuring bacterial counts in saliva and supra- and subgingival plaque were included. Bacterial counts were analyzed using standard mean difference (SMD) and by a random effects model with the DerSimonian-Laird estimation. Results: The results showed a significant decrease in the overall count of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in the probiotic-treated group compared to the control at 4 weeks (SMD: -0.28; 95% CI: -0.56--0.01; p = 0.045) but not later. Analyzing the bacterial counts in subgroups, namely, in saliva and supra- and subgingival plaque, separately, yielded no significant difference. Probiotics had no significant effect on the overall count of Porphyromonas gingivalis at 4 weeks (SMD: -0.02; 95% CI: -0.35-0.31; p = 0.914) or later. Subgroup analysis also revealed no significant difference between treatment and control groups nor did probiotics significantly decrease the overall and subgroup bacterial counts of Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Conclusion: Our data support the beneficial effect of probiotics in reducing A. actinomycetemcomitans counts, but not of other key periodontal pathogenic bacteria in periodontal disease patients. However, due to the complex mechanism associated with periodontal disease and the limitations of the available studies, there is a further need for well-designed randomized clinical trials to assess the efficacy of probiotics.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative bacilli in subgingival biofilm associated with periodontal diseases

BACKGROUND

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) isolated from subgingival biofilm of individuals with different periodontal conditions.

METHODS

Subgingival biofilm was obtained from 362 individuals with periodontal health (PH) (n = 83), gingivitis (n = 74), and periodontitis (n = 205), cultivated in broth and selective media. Isolated strains were identified by mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute disk diffusion guidelines. Production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemases were evaluated by double disk synergy test and spectrophotometric detection of imipenem hydrolysis, respectively. ESBL and carbapenemase encoding genes were surveyed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Differences among groups were examined by Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis or Mann-Whitney tests.

RESULTS

GNB were isolated from 36.2% of all subgingival biofilm samples, with a significantly greater prevalence and species diversity (P < 0.001) in patients with periodontitis (45.9%) compared with individuals with PH (24.1%) and gingivitis (22.9%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (27.5%), Enterobacter cloacae (16.8%), and Enterobacter asburiae (10.7%) were the most predominant species. Resistance/reduced sensitivity to at least 1 antimicrobial was detected in 60% of the strains, but only 4.6% were multidrug resistant. Serratia marcescens, E. cloacae, and Enterobacter kobei presented high rates of intrinsic resistance (>40%) to amoxicillin-clavulanate and first/second-generations of cephalosporins. One strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from periodontitis was resistant to imipenem, but no ESBL encoding genes or ESBL phenotype was detected.

CONCLUSION

High prevalence and diversity of GNB, with low susceptibility to β-lactams are observed in the subgingival microbiota associated with periodontitis.

Presence of non-oral bacteria in the oral cavity

A homeostatic balance exists between the resident microbiota in the oral cavity and the host. Perturbations of the oral microbiota under particular conditions can contribute to the growth of non-oral pathogens that are hard to kill because of their higher resistance to antimicrobials, raising the probability of treatment failure and reinfection. The presence of these bacteria in the oral cavity has been proven to be associated with several oral diseases such as periodontitis, caries, and gingivitis, and systemic diseases of importance in clinical medicine such as cystic fibrosis, HIV, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it is still controversial whether these species are merely transient members or unique to the oral cavity. Mutualistic and antagonistic interactions between the oral microbiota and non-oral pathogens can also occur, though the mechanisms used by these bacteria are not clear. Therefore, this review presents an overview of the current knowledge about the presence of non-oral bacteria in the oral cavity, their relationship with systemic and oral diseases, and their interactions with oral bacteria.

Opportunistic pathogens are associated with deteriorated clinical parameters in peri-implant disease

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between Gram-negative enteric rods and Pseudomonas with the clinical parameters in peri-implant disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients treated with implants and diagnosed with peri-implant mucositis and/or peri-implantitis participate in this cross-sectional research. Unusual microorganisms from the implants were recognized using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Linear regression models were applied.

RESULTS

A total of 103 implants were evaluated in thirty-one participants. Gram-negative enteric rods/Pseudomonas were observed in 47 implants (46%). Interestingly, there were differences in probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CA), and bleeding on probing (BOP) between the groups, where implants with the presence of Gram-negative enteric rods/Pseudomonas presented deteriorated clinical parameters (p < .0001). The crude and adjusted linear regression models for PPD in peri-implant mucositis, PPD in peri-implantitis, CA in peri-implantitis, and BOP in peri-implant disease present significant βs, demonstrating deteriorated parameters (p < .0001) in the presence of Gram-negative enteric rods/Pseudomonas. Besides, the model for CA in peri-implantitis showed that cemented restored reconstructions were statistically significant (p = .009). Additionally, the R2 value in most models indicated a high degree of correlation (>85%).

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of Gram-negative enteric rods and Pseudomonas was associated with deteriorated clinical parameters in patients with peri-implant disease.

Subgingival prevalence rate of enteric rods in subjects with periodontal health and disease

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of enteric rods and their association with chronic periodontitis has gained prominence recently. Although the prevalence of these organisms from the subgingival plaque sample was reported in the literature, the carriage rate of these rods in our population is lacking. The present study was undertaken to know the carriage rate of enteric rods from our population in patients with periodontal health and disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-four systemically healthy participants, inclusive of 46 males and 38 females, were selected for the study. The selected participants were subjected to a periodontal examination and were categorized into chronic periodontitis and healthy group. Subgingival plaque samples were taken from all the participants, plated onto McConkey agar plates, and incubated overnight at 37° C to check for the growth of organisms. The grown organisms were then cultured according to the standard procedures.

RESULTS

Prevalence of 71% and 83% of enteric rods in subjects with periodontal health and disease, respectively, was found in our study which was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Although no significant differences exist in the prevalence of enteric rods between healthy and patients with chronic periodontitis, the prevalence rate of enteric rods in subgingival plaque samples is considerably high in our population.

Organic Nanomaterials and Their Applications in the Treatment of Oral Diseases

There is a growing interest in the development of organic nanomaterials for biomedical applications. An increasing number of studies focus on the uses of nanomaterials with organic structure for regeneration of bone, cartilage, skin or dental tissues. Solid evidence has been found for several advantages of using natural or synthetic organic nanostructures in a wide variety of dental fields, from implantology, endodontics, and periodontics, to regenerative dentistry and wound healing. Most of the research is concentrated on nanoforms of chitosan, silk fibroin, synthetic polymers or their combinations, but new nanocomposites are constantly being developed. The present work reviews in detail current research on organic nanoparticles and their potential applications in the dental field.

Non-oral gram-negative facultative rods in chronic periodontitis microbiota

OBJECTIVE

The subgingival prevalence of gram-negative facultative rods not usually inhabiting or indigenous to the oral cavity (non-oral GNFR), as well as selected periodontal bacterial pathogens, were evaluated by culture in untreated and treated chronic periodontitis patients.

METHODS

Subgingival biofilm specimens from 102 untreated and 101 recently treated adults with chronic periodontitis in the Netherlands were plated onto MacConkey III and Dentaid selective media with air-5% CO2 incubation for isolation of non-oral GNFR, and onto enriched Oxoid blood agar with anaerobic incubation for recovery of selected periodontal bacterial pathogens. Suspected non-oral GNFR clinical isolates were identified to a species level with the VITEK 2 automated system.

RESULTS

A total of 87 (42.9%) out of 203 patients yielded subgingival non-oral GNFR. Patients recently treated with periodontal mechanical debridement therapy demonstrated a greater prevalence of non-oral GNFR (57.4% vs 28.4%, P < 0.0001), and a greater number of different non-oral GNFR species (23 vs 14 different species), than untreated patients. Sphingomonas paucimobilis was the most frequently isolated subgingival non-oral GNFR species. Several GNFR species normally found in animals and human zoonotic infections, and not previously detected in human subgingival biofilms, were recovered from some patients, including Bordetella bronchispetica, Pasteurella canis, Pasteurella pneumotropica and Neisseria zoodegmatis. Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia were significantly associated with the presence of subgingival non-oral GNFR.

CONCLUSIONS

A surprisingly high proportion of Dutch chronic periodontitis patients yielded cultivable non-oral GNFR in periodontal pockets, particularly among those recently treated with periodontal mechanical debridement therapy. Since non-oral GNFR species may resist mechanical debridement from periodontal pockets, and are often not susceptible to many antibiotics frequently used in periodontal practice, their subgingival presence may complicate periodontal treatment in species-positive patients and increase risk of potentially dangerous GNFR infections developing at other body sites.

Oxidative Stress Parameters in Saliva and Its Association with Periodontal Disease and Types of Bacteria

Objective. To determine the association between oxidative stress parameters with periodontal disease, bleeding, and the presence of different periodontal bacteria. Methods. A cross-sectional study in a sample of eighty-six patients, divided into three groups depending on their periodontal status. Thirty-three with chronic periodontitis, sixteen with gingivitis, and thirty-seven with periodontal healthy as control. Oxidative stress biomarkers (8-OHdG and MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), and the activity of two antioxidant enzymes (GPx and SOD) were determined in saliva. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from the deepest periodontal pocket and PCR was used to determine the presence of the 6 fimA genotypes of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola. Results. Periodontal disease was found to be associated with increased oxidative stress parameter levels. These levels rose according to the number and type of different periodontal bacteria found in the periodontal pockets. The presence of different types of periodontal bacteria is predictive independent variables in linear regresion models of oxidative stress parameters as dependent variable, above all 8-OHdG. Conclusions. Oxidative stress parameter levels are correlated with the presence of different types of bacteria. Determination of these levels and periodontal bacteria could be a potent tool for controlling periodontal disease development.

Quantitative molecular detection of putative periodontal pathogens in clinically healthy and periodontally diseased subjects

Periodontitis is a multi-microbial oral infection with high prevalence among adults. Putative oral pathogens are commonly found in periodontally diseased individuals. However, these organisms can be also detected in the oral cavity of healthy subjects. This leads to the hypothesis, that alterations in the proportion of these organisms relative to the total amount of oral microorganisms, namely their abundance, rather than their simple presence might be important in the transition from health to disease. Therefore, we developed a quantitative molecular method to determine the abundance of various oral microorganisms and the portion of bacterial and archaeal nucleic acid relative to the total nucleic acid extracted from individual samples. We applied quantitative real-time PCRs targeting single-copy genes of periodontal bacteria and 16S-rRNA genes of Bacteria and Archaea. Testing tongue scrapings of 88 matched pairs of periodontally diseased and healthy subjects revealed a significantly higher abundance of P. gingivalis and a higher total bacterial abundance in diseased subjects. In fully adjusted models the risk of being periodontally diseased was significantly higher in subjects with high P. gingivalis and total bacterial abundance. Interestingly, we found that moderate abundances of A. actinomycetemcomitans were associated with reduced risk for periodontal disease compared to subjects with low abundances, whereas for high abundances, this protective effect leveled off. Moderate archaeal abundances were health associated compared to subjects with low abundances. In conclusion, our methodological approach unraveled associations of the oral flora with periodontal disease, which would have gone undetected if only qualitative data had been determined.