Oral Microbiome May Hold Markers for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Oral Microbiome May Hold

Markers for Rheumatoid Arthritis

According to a new Australian study, the microbiomes of the oral cavity and gut show disturbances in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers examined samples from patients with RA, including fecal, dental, and saliva samples, and compared them to a healthy control group. The microbiomes of the oral cavity and gut demonstrated many similarities, leading the team to conclude there is an overlap in the abundance and function of species in these two sites. This discovery adds to the emerging evidence supporting the oral-systemic link, and highlights the ability to use the oral cavity as a biomarker for systemic health issues. The research, “Germs and Joints: the Contribution of the Human Microbiome to Rheumatoid Arthritis,” appeared in Nature Medicine’s August issue.

In comparison to the control group, researchers found alterations in the gut, dental, and/or salivary microbiomes in patients with RA—although these irregularities were mostly resolved following treatment for RA. Depleted levels of Haemophilus spp. were found at all microbiome sites in patients with RA, and the team also noted higher-than-normal levels of Lactobacillus salivarius—with the highest levels recorded in patients with extremely active RA. In addition, the researchers reported that the mechanisms of iron, sulfur, zinc, and arginine were altered in subjects with RA.

Based on the metagenome-wide association study, the authors suggest the oral microbiome may be used by clinicians for the diagnosis and prognosis of disease, providing an effective and affordable test that may be useful in a variety of clinical settings.

Hygiene Connection E-Newsletter

August 2015