Abstract
The use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques has generated a wide variety of blood microbiome data. Due to the large variation in bacterial DNA profiles between studies and the likely high concentrations of cell-free bacterial DNA in the blood, it is still not clear how such microbiome data relates to viable microbiota. For these reasons much remains to be understood about the true nature of any possible healthy blood microbiota and of bacteraemic events associated with disease. The gut, reproductive tracts, skin and oral cavity are all likely sources of blood-borne bacteria. Oral bacteria, especially those associated with periodontal diseases, are also commonly associated with cardiovascular diseases such as infective endocarditis and also have been linked to rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease. Periodontal treatment, dental probing and toothbrushing have been shown to cause transient bacteraemia and oral bacteria from the phyla Firmicutes (e.g.Streptococci) and Bacteroidetes (e.g. Porphyromonas) are found in cardiovascular lesions (CVD). Many studies of blood bacterial DNA content however, find Proteobacteria DNA to be the dominant microbiome component, suggesting a gut origin. Most studies of this type use total DNA extracted from either whole blood or blood fractions, such as buffy coat. Here, using a method that purifies DNA from intact bacterial cells only, we examined blood donated by those with active, severe periodontitis and periodontally healthy controls and show that 43-52% of bacterial species in blood are classified as oral. Firmicutes, consisting largely of members of the Streptococcus mitis group and Staphylococcus epidermidis, were predominant at 63.5% of all bacterial sequences detected in periodontal health and, little changed at 66.7% in periodontitis. Compared to studies using total DNA Proteobacteria were found here at relatively low levels in blood at 13.3% in periodontitis and 17.6% in health. This study reveals significant phylogenetic differences in blood bacterial population profiles when comparing periodontal health to periodontal disease cohorts.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 577485 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
Volume | 10 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 5 Jan 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to thank Charlie Parkinson PhD, FRSC Medical Affairs Director Gum Health and Family Oral Health, and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), St Georges Avenue, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0DE, UK for their disinterested support. We also thank the charity Bristol Research into Alzheimer?s and Care of the Elderly (BRACE) and the Sigmund Gestetner Trust for their support. Deborah K. Shoemark (Dept of Biochemistry, University of Bristol) and SA-B were chief investigators for the South West-Cornwall and Plymouth REC ref: 13/SW/0272 IRAS ID: 5875. The University of Bristol acted as Research Sponsor from 04.12.2013, until 30.7.19 with an HRA approved extension to 31.12.20. Mrs Helen Foskett, Oral and Dental Science Bristol Dental Hospital took blood and saliva samples during the study.
Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright © 2021 Emery, Cerajewska, Seong, Davies, Paterson, Allen-Birt and West.
Research Groups and Themes
- Cerebrovascular and Dementia Research Group
Keywords
- Bacteraemia
- Oral bacteria
- Periodontitis
- MolYsis
- Inflammatory diseases