Oral‐gut bacterial profiles discriminate between periodontal health and diseases

Objective This investigation explored oral‐gut microbial signatures with potential to distinguish among periodontal conditions. Background Data The interplay between the oral and gut microbiomes may be a critical pathway linking periodontal diseases and systemic inflammatory disorders. The mechanisms by which oral microorganisms translocate to the gut and cause microbial dysbiosis, favoring an inflammatory state, are still unknown. As a first approach, characterization of oral‐gut microbial profiles associated with periodontal health and diseases can provide insights on such mechanisms of etiology and pathogenesis. Methods Fecal and saliva samples from individuals with periodontal health (PH, 8), gingivitis (GG, 17), and periodontitis (PD, 24) were analyzed for their microbial composition by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Microbial taxa were compared and correlated to periodontal parameters. Multivariate discriminant analysis (MDA) was carried out to identify profiles related to health and disease. Results Few significant differences in oral‐gut taxa were detected among clinical groups, although increase in fecal Fusobacterium nucleatum ss vincentii and salivary Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Parvimonas micra, and Fretibacterium sp. HMT358 were strongly correlated with deep pockets and inflammation (p