From Mouth to Brain: Distinct Supragingival Plaque Microbiota Composition in Cerebral Palsy Children With Caries

Abstract

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) present a higher prevalence and severity of caries. Although researchers have studied multiple risk factors for caries in CP, the role of microorganisms in caries remains one of the critical factors worth exploring. In order to explore the differences in the supragingival plaque microbiota (SPM), supragingival plaque samples were collected from 55 CP children and 23 non-CP children for 16S rRNA sequencing. Distinct SPM composition was found between CP children with severe caries (CPCS) and non-CP children with severe caries (NCPCS). Further subanalysis was also done to identify if there were any differences in SPM among CP children with different degrees of caries, namely, caries-free (CPCF), mild to moderate caries (CPCM), and severe caries (CPCS). After selecting the top 15 most abundant species in all groups, we found that CPCS was significantly enriched for Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Campylobacter rectus, Porphyromonas endodontalis, Catonella morbi, Alloprevotella tannerae, Parvimonas micra, Streptobacillus moniliformis, and Porphyromonas canoris compared to NCPCS. By comparing CPCF, CPCM, and CPCS, we found that the core caries-associated microbiota in CP children included Prevotella, Alloprevotella, Actinomyces, Catonella, and Streptobacillus, while Capnocytophaga and Campylobacter were dental health-associated microbiota in CP children. Alpha diversity analysis showed no significant difference between NCPCS and CPCS, but the latter had a much simpler core correlation network than that of NCPCS. Among CP children, CPCM and CPCF displayed lower bacterial diversity and simpler correlation networks than those of CPCS. In summary, the study showed the specific SPM characteristics of CPCS compared to NCPCS and revealed the core SPM in CP children with different severities of caries (CPCF, CPCM, and CPCS) and their correlation network. Hopefully, the study would shed light on better caries prevention and therapies for CP children. Findings from the current study offer exciting insights that warrant larger cohort studies inclusive of saliva and feces samples to investigate the potential pathogenic role of oral microbiota through the oral–gut–brain axis in CP children with caries.

Correlations between gastrointestinal and oral microbiota in children with cerebral palsy and epilepsy

“…Similarly, we found 96.3% incidence of periodontitis and 81.48% incidence of gingivitis in these children, which can be partly explained by their impaired oral functions, such as occlusion and swallow (25-27). Studies have observed the association of oral health with OM, including Porphyromonas, Treponema, F. nucleatum, Pseudoramibacter, Streptococcus, Prevotella as well as lactic acid-producing bacteria (7, 8, 28- Campylobacter were dental health-associated microbiota in these children (35). In line with other studies, the present study identified the accumulation of Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Neisseria, Actinomyces, Brachymonas, Streptococcus, Porphyromonas, Capnocytophaga, and Campylobacter in the OM of CPE children (7,8,26,27,35).…”

“…Studies have observed the association of oral health with OM, including Porphyromonas , Treponem a, F. nucleatum , Pseudoramibacter , Streptococcus , Prevotella as well as lactic acid-producing bacteria ( 7 , 8 , 28 – 34 ). Liu et al found that the core caries-associated microbiota in CP children included Prevotella, Alloprevotella, Actinomyces, Catonella, and Streptobacillus, while Capnocytophaga and Campylobacter were dental health-associated microbiota in these children ( 35 ). In line with other studies, the present study identified the accumulation of Prevotella , Fusobacterium , Neisseria , Actinomyces , Brachymonas , Streptococcus , Porphyromonas , Capnocytophaga , and Campylobacter in the OM of CPE children ( 7 , 8 , 26 , 27 , 35 ).…”

From teeth to brain: dental caries causally affects the cortical thickness of the banks of the superior temporal sulcus

“…In addition, the activities of neurons in the insular cortex changed during the tooth movement process [ 14 ], these results evidenced tooth-brain axes from activation of PDL to the neurons in the somatosensory and insular cortices. Moreover, the epidemiology association between cerebral palsy and dental caries in children also provides evidence for the presence of the tooth-brain axis [ 15 ]. Among the clinically estimated parameters for dental caries, DMFS has the highest heritability [ 15 ], making it the proper estimate for MR analysis of dental caries.…”

“…Moreover, the epidemiology association between cerebral palsy and dental caries in children also provides evidence for the presence of the tooth-brain axis [ 15 ]. Among the clinically estimated parameters for dental caries, DMFS has the highest heritability [ 15 ], making it the proper estimate for MR analysis of dental caries. Result of this study was in agreement with these findings demonstrated the presence of tooth-brain regulation axes, and provided a novel tooth-brain axis from dental caries to the banks of the superior temporal sulcus cortex.…”

The impact of Er:YAG laser combined with fluoride treatment on the supragingival plaque microbiome in children with multiple caries: a dynamic study

“…The supragingival plaque was sampled as previously described [ 27 , 28 ]. Parents were informed to ensure that the children did not brush their teeth in the morning and the night before and not to eat or drink water for 2 h before sampling.…”