Pyrosequencing Analysis Of Oral Microbiota Shifting In Different Caries States In Childhood

Dental caries is one of the most common diseases in the world, but little is known about the changing patterns of microbial community composition in vivo while caries is developing. We sought to characterize the bacterial profile shifting in different caries states by pyrosequencing analysis based on16S rRNA gene V1-V3hypervariable regions. Sixty participants were enrolled, from which we derived30samples of supragingival plaque in caries-free subjects, and30samples each from supragingival plaques on intact enamel, white spot lesions and carious dentin lesions in subjects with active caries. A total of572,773readings passed the quality control process and25,444unique sequences were identified. There were18phyla and145genera were found. The plaque microbiota present at non-carious sites was variable, but was relatively conserved at late caries lesions. Twenty-one genera such as Neisseria, Rothia, Aestuariimicrobium, Oribacterium were found to be associated with dental health, and the bacterial profile differed significantly depending on caries status. Fifteen genera (including Streptococcus Lactobacillus, Megasphaera and Olsenella) were increased significantly in cavitated dentin lesions, and nine genera (including Actinomyces and Streptococcus) were present at significantly high levels in white spot lesions. Our results show that the structure and microbial composition of oral bacterial communities is distinctive and specific in different stages of caries progression and support the hypothesis of ecological plaque. These data may facilitate improvements in the prevention and treatment of dental caries.