Bacterial molecular characterization in intraoral appliances: Its role in oral pathogenicity and immunity [poster]

Abstract

Aim or purpose: To characterize bacterial growth in intraoral appliances and describe its pathogenicity and Immunity.

Materials and methods: Seventeen male and 35 females (18–65 years) were recruited from UNIBE’s Dental Clinic. The proto-col was approved by UNIBE’s IRB. Oral swabs were used to collect the samples from different intraoral appliances, such as orthodontic and prosthetic (fixed and removable), and its contacting mucosa. Collected samples were cultured in specific growth culture media. Culture for fastidious aerobic and anaerobic Gram+ and Gram  microorganisms were also used. DNA extractions and restriction enzyme were applied with standardized methods to the isolates.

Results: Identification of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides fragilis, and Actinomyces israelli was detected in the intraoral appliances. P. gingivalis and A. israelii were more frequent in both sexes.

Conclusion: It is unlikely to find P. gingivalis in healthy environments, interacting with the host immunity, and inducing a pro-inflammatory response that manipulates host-to-microbe responses. P. intermedia, and B. fragilis are biofilm related bacteria. However, B. fragilis can harm the colonic epithelial tissue and develop intestinal inflammation. A. israelli is normally found in the intraoral, gastrointestinal, genital, and oropharyngeal flora and is related to the etiology of actynomicosis. The frequent pathologies associated to A. israelli are cervicofacial fungal infections, abdominal pain, colon ulcerations and disorders of central nervous system; the presence of biofilm in intraoral appliances can be a predisposing factor. This bacterium seems to interact with host responses; more studies exploring interactions with autoimmune or inflammatory markers in humans are need.