Multiple Sclerosis Oral Microbiome Study Reveals Distinct Bacteria Changes
- Researchers from the University of Iowa have uncovered a link to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).It has a distinct oral microbial composition that is clearly different from that found in...
- This research is one of the most complete studies on the genetic and metabolic levels of the oral microbiome associated with multiple sclerosis.
- The findings were recently published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, highlighting the role of the mouth - not just the gut - in understanding the mechanisms of this...
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Researchers Link Oral Microbiome to Multiple Sclerosis
Researchers from the University of Iowa have uncovered a link to Multiple Sclerosis (MS).It has a distinct oral microbial composition that is clearly different from that found in healthy individuals.
This research is one of the most complete studies on the genetic and metabolic levels of the oral microbiome associated with multiple sclerosis.
The findings were recently published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, highlighting the role of the mouth – not just the gut – in understanding the mechanisms of this chronic neuroimmune disease.
The Oral Microbiome: More Than Just Oral Bacteria
Professor Ashutosh Mangalam, professor of pathology at the university of Iowa and lead author of the study, explains that the mouth contains the second most diverse microbiome in the human body after the gut, and has previously been shown to be linked to several neurological diseases such as alzheimer’s, and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
“Your mouth may reveal more about your health than you think,” says Mangalam.
“We found clear differences in bacteria and metabolic products in the saliva of MS patients compared to healthy controls, indicating an imbalance in their oral microbial system.”
Although treatments are available that reduce the progression of multiple sclerosis and reduce its symptoms, such as muscle weakness, balance and vision disorders, the disease still has no definitive cure.
the researchers believe that these results may pave the way for the progress of simple saliva-based tests for early detection of the disease or monitoring its development.
Imbalance of Bacteria: Loss of Beneficial and Increase of Harmful
The research team relied on comprehensive genetic sequencing (Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing) coupled with untargeted metabolomics to study the impact of oral microbes on the course of the disease.
the study included saliva samples from 50 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common form of the disease, and 50 healthy people.
The results showed that patients have a dysbiotic oral microbiome characterized by:
- Loss of beneficial bacteria such as Streptococcus and Actinomyces, which are among the first bacterial colonizers responsible for creating a healthy oral environment.
- Increased pathogenic bacteria such as Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis and multiple