Molecular community profiling of the bacterial microbiota associated with denture-related stomatitis

Abstract

Denture-associated stomatitis (DS) affects over two-thirds of denture-wearers. DS presents as erythema of the palatal mucosa in areas where denture-surface associated polymicrobial biofilms containing the fungus Candida albicans exist. The contribution of the oral bacterial microbiota toward the infection is unknown. Therefore, this study characterised the bacterial microbiota of sites within the oral cavity to identify potential associations with occurrence of DS. Denture-wearing patients were recruited (denture stomatitis (DS) n = 8; non-denture stomatitis (NoDS) n = 11) and the oral bacterial microbiota of the tongue, palate and denture-fitting surface was characterised using next-generation sequencing. Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified to bacterial genera and species, and presence/absence and relative abundances were examined. A significant ( P = 0.007) decrease in the number of OTUs and thus, diversity of the microbiota was observed in tongue samples of DS patients (vs non-DS). The microbiota of denture-fitting surfaces and palatal mucosae were similar. Large differences in the abundance of bacterial genera and species were observed at each sample site, and unique presence/absence of bacteria was noted. Presence/absence and relative abundance of specific bacteria associated with DS warrants further in vitro and in vivo evaluation, particularly as our previous work has shown C . albicans virulence factor modulation by oral bacteria.

The Dysbiosis and Inter-Kingdom Synergy Model in Oropharyngeal Candidiasis, a New Perspective in Pathogenesis

“…In healthy patients with denture candidiasis an enrichment of the tongue mucosa with Enterococci and Streptococci was recently reported [54]. This finding supports the concept that candidiasis occurs in a polymicrobial environment enriched with these bacteria consistent with our mouse tongue infection models [13,[15][16][17]49].…”

Bioadhesion in the oral cavity and approaches for biofilm management by surface modifications

“…A large percentage of denture wearers are affected by denture-associated stomatitis, which is mainly caused by Candida albicans [ 125 ], albeit also differences in denture-associated biofilms on the genus and species level of other microorganisms can be detected between patients affected by denture-associated stomatitis and healthy subjects [ 126 ]. Dentures are mostly manufactured from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).…”

An In Vitro Evaluation of Denture Cleansing Regimens against a Polymicrobial Denture Biofilm Model

“…Our research group has previously shown that DC treatment in vitro can alleviate C. albicans biofilm growth on denture material [ 22 ]. The presence of a complex polymicrobial biofilm on the denture surface is also an important factor in disease pathogenesis [ 6 , 12 ]. Candida is essential for supporting the growth of bacteria.…”

“…Moreover, there is evidence that interkingdom interactions play a critical role in protecting fungal and bacterial species from antibiotics and antifungals [ 9 , 10 ]. Recent research has highlighted the complexity of the biofilms present on the surface of dentures [ 6 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Thus, in vitro biofilm models investigating DS need to reflect the interkingdom dynamic for accurate and representative antimicrobial testing of oral healthcare products, such as denture cleansers and toothpastes.…”